Opioid use can trigger deafness

Date:
August 17, 2020
Source:
Rutgers University
Summary:
Opioid receptors in the inner ear can cause partial or full hearing
loss, according to new research.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Opioid use, particularly in high doses, can cause deafness, according
to Rutgers researchers.


==========================================================================
The study, published in The Journal of Medical Toxicology, reviewed
records from the New Jersey Poison Control Center, based at Rutgers New
Jersey Medical School, from 1999 to 2018 to determine the association
between opioid use and degrees of hearing loss.

Researchers identified 41 people with opioid exposure who experienced
full or partial hearing loss or tinnitus, likely caused by toxicity to
the ear. More than half had used heroin, followed by oxycodone, methadone
and tramadol; 88 percent had only one known exposure. Most people reported
the condition affecting both ears, with 12 people experiencing deafness,
15 partial or total loss of hearing acuity, 10 tinnitus and four a mix
of symptoms.

While some people may regain their hearing, the loss could be permanent
with others -- 21 percent of those reporting the condition had no
improvement in hearing when they were discharged from the hospital. "The delicate structures of the inner ear are very susceptible to injury if
oxygen supply is insufficient, as well as to the direct effect of toxins
like opioids," said co- author Lewis Nelson, chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine.

"Although the study found a link with heroin, toxicity to the ear can
occur with every opioid," said Diane Calello, executive and medical
director of the New Jersey Poison Control Center. "This study supports
what has been found in animal studies, which is that any opioid can
cause hearing loss," she said.

"This might be because we already have built-in opioid receptors, or
binding sites, in the inner ear. Activating them may trigger this injury
in some patients." The researchers said health care providers should
be aware of the association with opioid use when evaluating a patient
with hearing loss.


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Rutgers_University. Original written
by Patti Verbanas.

Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Alexander M. Mozeika, Bruce E. Ruck, Lewis S. Nelson, Diane
P. Calello.

Opioid-Associated Hearing Loss: A 20-Year Review from the New
Jersey Poison Center. Journal of Medical Toxicology, 2020; DOI:
10.1007/s13181- 020-00785-5 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200817144112.htm

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