AMIKACIN AND HEARING LOSS

anonymous

New member
HAS ANYONE HAD SUBSTANTIAL HEARING LOSS FROM AMIKACIN. MY DAUGHTER (21) HAS A TYPICAL MYCOBACTERIUM, AND HAS BEEN ON CEFOXITIN FOR OVER 6 MONTHS AND WAS JUST TAKEN OFF AMIKACIN BECAUSE HER HEARING HAS GONE TO MODERATELY SEVERE LOSS. DOES SOME OF THE HEARING COME BACK, OR IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN TRY TO DO TO HELP??
THANKS FOR ANY HELP.
PAUL
 
I

IG

Guest
I'm not sure about Amikacin, but since it has 'cin' at the end it leads me to believe that it is a part of the 'mycin' group of drugs. Actually I just looked it up, it's in the same drug group, aminoglycosides. In that case, chances are it's a permanent hearing loss. Tobi has been known to cause it. I myself have had a substantial hearing loss due to tobi, vanco, and previous gentamicin use. The best thing to do is to go to a credited ENT or a hearing doctor. From the explanation that I received is that it deadens the hair cells in the ear, and once those are gone they can't be regrown [although they're doing research in that area, it's still a ways off before they make any kind of development to even begin testing on humans with hearing loss] Anyway like I said the best thing is to go to a doctor knowledgable in this particular area and have him/her explain it to you more effectively. Maybe it's a problem other than hearing loss from tobi/vanco. You never know, I hope for your sake that it is a different treatable cause, but it never hurts to be prepared.
 

anonymous

New member
Hi,
I also have an atypical mycobacterium (m. abscessus) and was on long term Amikacin (6 months at a stretch 2 times) and also have moderate hearing loss from the Amikacin. I did see an ENT about it, once the hearing is gone there is nothing you can do, unfortunately. Sorry. Hearing aids don't help because the nerves themselves are damaged, so making the noises louder does nothing, you can't hear them no matter how loud. Does she also have ringing in her ears? In the beginning I found that to be very bothersome, but with time have gotten used to it. I find that caffeine makes it worse so I try to avoid it. If you have any questions please feel free to email:knunnari@comcast.net.

Kim
40w/cf
 
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