VR. Moroti Constantinescu 1, M. Georgescu 2, E. Kovacs 3, A. Hristea 1, V. Aramă 1, A. Pascu 2
1 Matei Balş National Institute for Infectious Diseases Bucharest
2 Dorin Hociota Institute of Phono-Audiology and ENT Functional Surgery Bucharest
3 Carol Davila University of Medicine Bucharest
Abstract
The inner ear houses the hearing organ of Corti (inner and outer hair cells), where the sound pressure is transduced to electrical energy. The inner and outer hair cells both play active roles in this transduction. Drugs’ ototoxicity is defi ned as functional and/or anatomical impairment of the inner ear caused by certain therapeutic agents. Aminoglycosides are widely prescribed despite their toxicity, because of their availability, good spectrum and low cost. These antibiotics cause hearing loss, starting with high frequencies and progressing toward conversational frequencies (0.5-2 kHz), by destroying the acoustic hair cells in the inner ear. The hearing loss is often irreversible and bilateral. In neonates, aminoglycoside ototoxicity is more severe, causing profound bilateral hearing loss (all frequencies are aff ected) which will impede language development. The management of cochlear toxicity entails monitoring, appropriate schedules of therapy, association of presumed protectors and in extremis referral to the ENT specialists for cochlear implant.