This document defines ototoxicity as ear poisoning caused by exposure to drugs or chemicals that damage the inner ear and vestibulocochlear nerve. It lists various drugs and chemicals that can cause ototoxicity, including quinine, salicylates, aminoglycosides, loop diuretics, antiepileptics, and betablockers. Signs of ototoxicity include tinnitus, imbalance, vertigo, and hearing loss. Diagnosis involves a health history, physical exam, electrocochleography, and electronystagmography. Management focuses on limiting ototoxic drugs, periodic exams, hearing aids, vestibular exercises, and treating underlying causes.

1. Mr. Manikandan.T,
RN., RM., M.Sc(N)., D.C.A .,(Ph.D)
Assistant Professor,
Dept. of Medical Surgical Nursing,
VMCON, Puducherry.

2. DEFINITION
• Ear poisoning due to exposure to drugs or
chemicals which damage the inner ear and
vestibulo cochlear nerve

3. CAUSES
• Quinine and salicylates: tinnitus and hearing loss may
occur due to effect of this drugs
• Aminoglycosides: streptomycin – balance& hearing
• Loop diuretics: permanent sensori neural hearing loss
• Antiepiletics: vestibular disorder
• Betablockers: deafness
• Chemicals: mercury, CO, Carbondisulphide

4. CLINICAL FEATURES
• Tinnitus
• Imbalance
• Vertigo
• Hearing loss

5. DIAGNOSIS
• H/C
• P/E
• Electrocochleography (abbreviated ECochG or
ECOG) is a technique of recording electrical
potentials generated in the inner ear and
auditory nerve in response to sound stimulation,
using an electrode placed in the ear canal or
tympanic membrane.
• Electronystagmography
• Auditory brainstem response

6. MANAGEMENT
• Limit use of ototoxic drugs
• Periodic ophthalmic/ audiometric
examination
• Hearing aids for hearing loss
• vestibular exercises
• Treat the underlying causes