Do you ever find yourself at the end of a long day, finally in bed and ready to finally relax, just to be confronted with an intruding buzz in your ears? The sound may seem like it’s coming from nowhere but your mind, giving you the feeling as though you can’t escape it. If this has happened to you, then you are one of the 50 million people in the United States who has reported tinnitus. While for many, symptoms come and go, roughly 5 million people struggle with burdensome chronic tinnitus, while 2 million find it debilitating.
What causes tinnitus? No one knows exactly what for sure, however, a recent study shows that it may be connected to frequent use of certain over the counter medications, such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or aspirin.
What are Over the Counter Painkillers?
If you ever have a headache, or back pain you may be one of the millions of people in the US who use painkillers. Over the counter (OTC) pain relievers can be obtained at any drugstore or even grocery store without prescriptions and can help relieve pain or lower a fever. These medications all work slightly differently, the most common types being acetaminophen, aspirin, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). A recent study found that One in three Americans take over-the-counter pain medication every single day. Due to the common nature of these drugs many are not concerned with the side effects. However, studies show that frequent use may lead to an increased risk of tinnitus.
Study on OTC Painkillers and Tinnitus
In a new study published just last year in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, researchers examined data tracking over 69,000 women through 20 years. The researchers determined that participants who frequently used over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen had an almost 20 percent increased risk of developing tinnitus.
“Because over-the-counter analgesics are widely available without a prescription and perceived to be safe, frequent use of these medications is very common,” explains lead study author Sharon Curhan, M.D., assistant professor of medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School. “Most people are not aware of the potential harm that these medications may cause and the possibility of adverse interactions with other medications, particularly when used frequently.”
Dr. Curhan points out that it’s not just OTC pain relievers but many cold and sinus medications which include these popular medications which contribute to hearing damage. “It’s possible to take more of these medications than is intended or recognized,” Curhan states.
Low-dose aspirin use not associated with tinnitus risk
One of the most frequently used OTC medications in the US is aspirin, a blood thinner used to reduce the risk of inflammation from arthritis as well as of blood clots after surgery. Frequent use of low-dose aspirin (100 mg or less) was not found to pose no threat to hearing. Curhan was happy to find this “helpful finding,” given that many people are advised to take low doses of the drug daily to prevent cardiovascular disease and hypertension.
Understanding Tinnitus
No one knows exactly what caused tinnitus, though it’s important to note it’s close relation to hearing loss. While not everyone with hearing loss has tinnitus, roughly 90 percent of people with tinnitus also have hearing loss. The most common theory revolves around damage to the inner ear. We collect sound with our ears, but those sounds must be converted into electrical impulses in the inner ear, to be received and processed by the brain. When damage occurs to the tiny hair cells responsible for this process, they are believed to send out a sort of feedback to the brain which we interpret as the ringing symptoms of tinnitus.
Finding Relief from Tinnitus
While there is no cure for tinnitus, there are several things you can do to either prevent it or reduce the impact of the symptoms. Based on this study one thing is clear. Avoiding over the counter painkillers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen can deeply reduce the risk of developing the condition as these drugs are found to be ototoxic- or damaging to the cells of the inner ear. Other ototoxic substances include tobacco, and environmental pollutants. Once hearing damage occurs it can’t be reversed. Often tinnitus is a sign of hearing damage, meaning if you are facing a buzzing in your ears, it’s time to schedule a hearing exam. Contact us today to schedule your next visit.