Salicylate Ototoxicity: A Clinical and Experimental Study

TLDR

High‑dose aspirin used for arthritis and other connective tissue disorders can cause reversible hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo, yet the dose–response relationship is poorly documented and often mistaken for idiosyncratic reactions. The study aimed to generate clinical data on aspirin‑induced ototoxicity to clarify its dose–response relationship.

Abstract

<h3>Introduction</h3> SIXTEEN billion aspirin tablets are consumed in the United States annually.¹Fortunately, most people require the analgesic effect of aspirin only occasionally and then in small doses. However, the ingestion of large quantities of aspirin is necessary to achieve therapeutic success in the treatment of arthritis, rheumatic fever, and other connective tissue disorders. This same quantity of aspirin which relieves the pain of the underlying disease may also produce the annoying symptoms of hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo. These symptoms are used by some rheumatologists to establish the proper dosage of this medication. The reversibility of these symptoms makes such a program possible. However, the concept that these symptoms are related to the dosage of salicylates and are reversible has not been well documented, and many physicians assume that these are idiosyncratic or allergic reactions. A cinical study was undertaken to provide information that would be useful to