Ototoxicity

Ototoxicity is the cellular degeneration of the cochlea or vestibular tissues, resulting from the exposure to certain therapeutic agents or chemicals, which typically leads to functional deterioration in hearing or balance. Common symptoms of ototoxicity include sensorineural hearing loss, hearing in noisy or complex environments, tinnitus, hyperacusis (discomfort resulting from perception of loud sounds), pressure or fullness in the ears, dizziness, and vertigo. Certain classes of medications are known to be especially likely to cause significant ototoxic damage. Routine screening of ototoxicity potential in certain classes of new drugs during preclinical development is essential.