Ear and Hearing Problems from Treatment

I am looking for any information on any problems people have encountered with ear or hearing problems as a result of treatment.  I have had some problems in this area myself.  Thanks.

[CARUU]

I have a nerve related hearing loss in my left ear.  It's not tx related.  I'm not on it yet.  I'm wondering if it could be hepc related, because I have other nerve problems (spinal accessory nerve damage, neuroma in foot, and the hearing loss).  My neurologist hasn't seen it before, but he sent me some research he had done by the local hospital librarian that comments on both hearing and central nervous system problems related to hepc.  I don't have another appt. with him for quite a while.  I think he's mostly concerned with watching the situations and being sure things stay stable and don't get any worse.  I really don't think there anything that can be done for the problems. caruu

[doll face]

I don't know if it related to hep C or not but I also have been having ear problems in one ear, my right I have had extensive test and they can't seem to find anything wrong, It pain and ringing isn't there all the time but, it is there and can be very bothersome at times. My doctor gave me an antibiotic drops to use when it hurts ask him if this is right for you. Good luck.

[TESSTUBE]

Hard for me to say.  I have quite a bit of hearing loss in the left ear due to an accident in 1984 and tinnitus.  I did seem to struggle a bit with hearing during tx but the right ear seems to be okay now (one month after tx).  I don't think the left ear is ever going to get better but I think that has more to do with age/the injury and tinnitus from noise.  I am curious what other peoples experiences have been and based on your post if there is a HepC connection.

[kennedge]

seems i have been having ringing in the ears (tinitus) it is not constant and does not last longer then a few minutes...i have not spoke to dr about it.

[myrtles]

I too have had some problems with my right ear.  Sometimes it just hurts and sometimes it gets very itchy.  I haven't mentioned it to my dr either.  I have seen that it is one of the sides so I am just dealing with it.

I hope it gets better!!  Let your dr know.  Maybe he can give you something that will help.  You might try a warm cloth when it starts hurting.  That might help.

[MichaelT]

I had some hearing loss and tinnitus before treatment. The tinnitus got worse during treatment. Post treatment the ringing in the ears has decreased, but not disappeared and the hearing loss appears to be permanent.

[regmel]

I have ringing in my ears 24 hrs a day. It's become a part of my life now and I'm hoping when I'm done tx it will go away. I know it's from the sides. Hopefully it won't affect my hearing too much.  I hear ok unless my husband is talking to me.

[willing]

hmmm,  do you think this side can be sexually transmitted? My wife doesn't have HCV but I've noticed for years now that she seems to have quite a bit of  trouble hearing me...

[Galen]

.........uh, did you say something?...........

[willing]

wow -  an epidemic! and all these years I worried it might have something to do with me..

[wkwithit]

Interferon CA cause neuritis (nerve inflammation)resulting in hearing loss in one or both ears. This is a rare side effect and was recently added by the FDA to the package insert for both Peg Intron and Pegasys.If the hearing loss is severe, it is usually irreversible. Hepatologists recommend stopping treatment if you develop hearing loss.  I'm sorry.

[chicagogirl]

Wow!  Thanks for the great answers. My own story is this; in my right ear, I have had infections in my outer and middle ears. It took 3 rounds of anti-biotics to clear everything up.  I then started wondering if there was occasional ringing.  After these posts, I now realize that there probably IS ringing that is connected to treatment.  My ENT suggested a baseline hearing test but I haven't gone in for one. For years, my husband has thought I was loosing my hearing.  I don't listen to him in both senses of the word! His problem is that he mumbles!