Analgesic use and the risk of hearing loss

Q: Hearing loss with aspirin is? - select one

A) reversible

B) irreversible

Answer: A

Although high-dose aspirin, about 6 to 8 g/day, can cause hearing loss, it is reversible with discontinuation.

It's not very common, but regular use of standard-dose aspirin, acetaminophen, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can also be associated with an increased risk of hearing loss. Interestingly, this is more common in younger (not older) patients less than 50 years of age. Moreover, similar findings were observed in women with acetaminophen and ibuprofen but not with aspirin.

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References:

1. Curhan SG, Eavey R, Shargorodsky J, Curhan GC. Analgesic use and the risk of hearing loss in men. Am J Med 2010; 123:231.

2. Curhan SG, Shargorodsky J, Eavey R, Curhan GC. Analgesic use and the risk of hearing loss in women. Am J Epidemiol 2012; 176:544.