Antibiotic Prescribed for Pertussis, H. Pylori Infections Linked to Increased Risk of Hearing Loss

A new study shows that people taking macrolides over other antibiotics or placebos were 25 percent more likely to experience hearing loss.

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Can medications cause hearing loss? According to a new study, macrolides—a type of antibiotic—can.

Macrolide antibiotics include erythromycin, roxithromycin, azithromycin, and clarithromycin. Many areas of medicine prescribe them, including otolaryngology (ear and throat), internal medicine, and pediatrics. They are often used to treat infections affecting the respiratory system, skin, or soft tissue, sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia, or atypical mycobacterial infections. Macrolides are also often prescribed to people who are allergic to penicillin or cephalosporin.

A Controversial Matter

In a new study published on Jan. 2 in Scientific Reports, researchers admit that whether macrolides are ototoxic—able to damage the ear, resulting in hearing loss, tinnitus, or balance problems—has been the center of research for years.