Ototoxicity
Pronunciation: oh-toh-TOK-sis-it-ee
The property of certain medications or chemicals that causes damage to the inner ear (cochlea or vestibular system), potentially resulting in hearing loss, tinnitus, or balance disturbance.
Full Definition
Ototoxicity refers to the toxic effect of specific drugs or chemical agents on the sensory structures of the inner ear, including the hair cells of the cochlea and the vestibular apparatus. Commonly implicated drug classes include aminoglycoside antibiotics (e.g., gentamicin), platinum-based chemotherapy agents (e.g., cisplatin), loop diuretics (e.g., furosemide), and quinine derivatives. Ototoxic hearing loss is typically high-frequency and bilateral, and it may be irreversible. In aural rehabilitation contexts, ototoxicity monitoring is an important aspect of care for patients undergoing chemotherapy. Editors should note the adjective form is 'ototoxic' and must ensure the term is not confused with 'neurotoxicity', which refers to damage to neural rather than sensory structures.
Usage
Usage note: Adjective form is 'ototoxic' (e.g., 'ototoxic medication'). Do not hyphenate. Distinguish vestibulotoxicity (balance-system damage) from cochleotoxicity (hearing-specific damage) where clinically relevant.
In Context
- "Serial audiometry was scheduled throughout the chemotherapy regimen to monitor for ototoxicity." — Oncology-audiology liaison report
- "The patient's high-frequency hearing loss was attributed to ototoxicity following a course of aminoglycoside antibiotics." — Case history summary