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20 1490
C

Hello. I am new to this site, but wanted to see if anyone can offer any input about tinnitus. I started azithromycin 500 mg three times per week and after one month, developed tinnitus and have stopped it. Does anyone have any experience with this and any input about whether this will go away or not ? Thanks !

Latest Activity: May 3, 2024
9
20 Replies

Replies

J

Hi Carmel,

I had tinnitus prior to NTM treatment. I have had several years of Azithromycin and a year of IV Amikacin. The doctor told me upfront  I had a choice between hearing and breathing.  I am told that the Azithromycin can cause hearing loss, and that the Amikacin WILL cause hearing loss. In my case, I believe the Amikacin was the bigger culprit.  Sure enough, now I have hearing aids and I believe my tinnitus is louder. The way I understand it, the damage done by the drugs is permanent.

As inconvenient and uncomfortable as tinnitus is, you need to think about how important your NTM treatment is.  Not everyone needs to be treated. Azithromycin is one of the standard medicines for NTM.

Latest Activity: November 7, 2021
J

Hi Carmel,

I had tinnitus prior to NTM treatment. I have had several years of Azithromycin and a year of IV Amikacin. The doctor told me upfront  I had a choice between hearing and breathing.  I am told that the Azithromycin can cause hearing loss, and that the Amikacin WILL cause hearing loss. In my case, I believe the Amikacin was the bigger culprit.  Sure enough, now I have hearing aids and I believe my tinnitus is louder. The way I understand it, the damage done by the drugs is permanent.

As inconvenient and uncomfortable as tinnitus is, you need to think about how important your NTM treatment is.  Not everyone needs to be treated. Azithromycin is one of the standard medicines for NTM.

Latest Activity: November 7, 2021
J

Hi Carmel,

I had tinnitus prior to NTM treatment. I have had several years of Azithromycin and a year of IV Amikacin. The doctor told me upfront  I had a choice between hearing and breathing.  I am told that the Azithromycin can cause hearing loss, and that the Amikacin WILL cause hearing loss. In my case, I believe the Amikacin was the bigger culprit.  Sure enough, now I have hearing aids and I believe my tinnitus is louder. The way I understand it, the damage done by the drugs is permanent.

As inconvenient and uncomfortable as tinnitus is, you need to think about how important your NTM treatment is.  Not everyone needs to be treated. Azithromycin is one of the standard medicines for NTM.

Latest Activity: November 7, 2021
J

Hi Carmel,

I had tinnitus prior to NTM treatment. I have had several years of Azithromycin and a year of IV Amikacin. The doctor told me upfront  I had a choice between hearing and breathing.  I am told that the Azithromycin can cause hearing loss, and that the Amikacin WILL cause hearing loss. In my case, I believe the Amikacin was the bigger culprit.  Sure enough, now I have hearing aids and I believe my tinnitus is louder. The way I understand it, the damage done by the drugs is permanent.

As inconvenient and uncomfortable as tinnitus is, you need to think about how important your NTM treatment is.  Not everyone needs to be treated. Azithromycin is one of the standard medicines for NTM.

Latest Activity: November 7, 2021
J

Hi Carmel,

I had tinnitus prior to NTM treatment. I have had several years of Azithromycin and a year of IV Amikacin. The doctor told me upfront  I had a choice between hearing and breathing.  I am told that the Azithromycin can cause hearing loss, and that the Amikacin WILL cause hearing loss. In my case, I believe the Amikacin was the bigger culprit.  Sure enough, now I have hearing aids and I believe my tinnitus is louder. The way I understand it, the damage done by the drugs is permanent.

As inconvenient and uncomfortable as tinnitus is, you need to think about how important your NTM treatment is.  Not everyone needs to be treated. Azithromycin is one of the standard medicines for NTM.

Latest Activity: November 7, 2021
J

Hi Carmel,

I had tinnitus prior to NTM treatment. I have had several years of Azithromycin and a year of IV Amikacin. The doctor told me upfront  I had a choice between hearing and breathing.  I am told that the Azithromycin can cause hearing loss, and that the Amikacin WILL cause hearing loss. In my case, I believe the Amikacin was the bigger culprit.  Sure enough, now I have hearing aids and I believe my tinnitus is louder. The way I understand it, the damage done by the drugs is permanent.

As inconvenient and uncomfortable as tinnitus is, you need to think about how important your NTM treatment is.  Not everyone needs to be treated. Azithromycin is one of the standard medicines for NTM.

Latest Activity: November 7, 2021
J

Hi Carmel,

I had tinnitus prior to NTM treatment. I have had several years of Azithromycin and a year of IV Amikacin. The doctor told me upfront  I had a choice between hearing and breathing.  I am told that the Azithromycin can cause hearing loss, and that the Amikacin WILL cause hearing loss. In my case, I believe the Amikacin was the bigger culprit.  Sure enough, now I have hearing aids and I believe my tinnitus is louder. The way I understand it, the damage done by the drugs is permanent.

As inconvenient and uncomfortable as tinnitus is, you need to think about how important your NTM treatment is.  Not everyone needs to be treated. Azithromycin is one of the standard medicines for NTM.

Latest Activity: November 7, 2021
K

Yes I do.  My pulmo wouldn't give me zpak cause it can cause hearing loss.  I went had my hearing checked and my right was gone already so he prescribed zpak 3 times a week been a few years now. .  When I had the insurance that covered the hearing aids I got one for the right ear  but the little door broke on it I never got back in time my coverage was no more so I do not have any but my ear just is always ringing or sounding like sea shells. .  

Latest Activity: November 8, 2021
K

Yes I do.  My pulmo wouldn't give me zpak cause it can cause hearing loss.  I went had my hearing checked and my right was gone already so he prescribed zpak 3 times a week been a few years now. .  When I had the insurance that covered the hearing aids I got one for the right ear  but the little door broke on it I never got back in time my coverage was no more so I do not have any but my ear just is always ringing or sounding like sea shells. .  

Latest Activity: November 8, 2021
K

Yes I do.  My pulmo wouldn't give me zpak cause it can cause hearing loss.  I went had my hearing checked and my right was gone already so he prescribed zpak 3 times a week been a few years now. .  When I had the insurance that covered the hearing aids I got one for the right ear  but the little door broke on it I never got back in time my coverage was no more so I do not have any but my ear just is always ringing or sounding like sea shells. .  

Latest Activity: November 8, 2021
K

Yes I do.  My pulmo wouldn't give me zpak cause it can cause hearing loss.  I went had my hearing checked and my right was gone already so he prescribed zpak 3 times a week been a few years now. .  When I had the insurance that covered the hearing aids I got one for the right ear  but the little door broke on it I never got back in time my coverage was no more so I do not have any but my ear just is always ringing or sounding like sea shells. .  

Latest Activity: November 8, 2021
K

Yes I do.  My pulmo wouldn't give me zpak cause it can cause hearing loss.  I went had my hearing checked and my right was gone already so he prescribed zpak 3 times a week been a few years now. .  When I had the insurance that covered the hearing aids I got one for the right ear  but the little door broke on it I never got back in time my coverage was no more so I do not have any but my ear just is always ringing or sounding like sea shells. .  

Latest Activity: November 8, 2021
K

Yes I do.  My pulmo wouldn't give me zpak cause it can cause hearing loss.  I went had my hearing checked and my right was gone already so he prescribed zpak 3 times a week been a few years now. .  When I had the insurance that covered the hearing aids I got one for the right ear  but the little door broke on it I never got back in time my coverage was no more so I do not have any but my ear just is always ringing or sounding like sea shells. .  

Latest Activity: November 8, 2021
K

Yes I do.  My pulmo wouldn't give me zpak cause it can cause hearing loss.  I went had my hearing checked and my right was gone already so he prescribed zpak 3 times a week been a few years now. .  When I had the insurance that covered the hearing aids I got one for the right ear  but the little door broke on it I never got back in time my coverage was no more so I do not have any but my ear just is always ringing or sounding like sea shells. .  

Latest Activity: November 8, 2021
J

Hi Carmel,

I had tinnitus prior to NTM treatment. I have had several years of Azithromycin and a year of IV Amikacin. The doctor told me upfront I had a choice between hearing and breathing. I am told that the Azithromycin can cause hearing loss, and that the Amikacin WILL cause hearing loss. In my case, I believe the Amikacin was the bigger culprit. Sure enough, now I have hearing aids and I believe my tinnitus is louder. The way I understand it, the damage done by the drugs is permanent. As inconvenient and uncomfortable as tinnitus is, you need to think about how important your NTM treatment is. Not everyone needs to be treated. Azithromycin is one of the standard medicines for NTM.

Latest Activity: November 12, 2021
10
B

Azithromycin caused tinnitus for me as well, within 2 weeks of starting it on my treatment in 2018, but I was kept on the medication for 2 years. I still have the tinnitus, so for me it looks to be permanent. But, true, we do have to weigh the risks of side effects to those of the NTM we are fighting. Back on Azithromycin now, & my tinnitus may have increased a little more this time, but thankful it is not much worse than what I have been dealing with.

Latest Activity: April 2, 2024
4
K

BrenB,

Are you getting regular audiology checks?

Latest Activity: April 2, 2024
5

Comments

B

Hello, Ksmiles123! Sorry for the delay. Did not know there was a response. :) I am very new to this site. Yes, while I am on this current treatment, my Dr. has me getting a hearing test with Audiology every 3 months to monitor, as well as EKGs.

Latest Activity: May 3, 2024
2
K

Since have got two new hearing aids I paid for not cheap the battrries don't last long

I had hearing test my right ear had high pressure so they put tube in ear lobe thinking help. I go this month for checkup also ENT. They were thinking maybe left need a tube also.

Latest Activity: April 4, 2024
6
K

My error tube wss placed in ear drum not lobe.

Latest Activity: April 6, 2024
8
K

i do now have two new hearing aids that has app for your phone.

Latest Activity: May 4, 2024
7

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