Ototoxicity is broadly defined as the tendency of certain substances, whether systemic or topical, to cause functional impairment and cellular damage to tissues of the inner ear and especially the end organs responsible for vestibular and cochlear function. While the number of medications recognized to cause ototoxicity continues to increase yearly, specific emphasis is placed on ototoxicity from systemic aminoglycoside and platinum-based chemotherapies. The mechanisms and risk factors for the development of ototoxicity will be discussed. Until basic science research provides us with new strategies for its prevention (including hair cell regeneration), there will be a continued need to monitor patients appropriately to identify early changes in cochleovestibular function and be able to act accordingly to prevent further injury. Therapeutic monitoring protocols for the early recognition of aminoglycoside and chemotherapy-based ototoxicity will be further discussed. New treatment strategies for the prevention of cochleotoxicity from chemotherapeutic agents are mentioned. Medicolegal ramifications may also follow in circumstances where ototoxicity could have been prevented and appropriate informed consent was not provided.
This session pertains to
- Pre-School (0-4)
- School Aged (5-17)
- Adult (18-64)
- Seniors (65+)
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