1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

Tinnitus

Posted by winema @winema, 1 day ago

Anyone experience tinnitus (increased--not entirely new-- at the end of week 4 in my case) from the meds and then had it recede after stopping the meds? Anyone experience permanent hearing loss? Did switching from Azithromycin to something else (what?) help? I've searched for this topic and all the posts I see are 5 and 6 years ago. Would be nice to have more current info. Thank you all.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.

rbl | @rbl | 8 hours ago

I had tinnitus occasionally before treatment but while on ethambutol it became more frequent and bothersome. After treatment the tinnitus improved monthly as the time went on, I rarely get it anymore. As far as hearing loss, I did have some loss but I didn’t get tested until 8 months into treatment so I can’t say it was meds. My last one after treatment slightly improved, my hearing loss isn’t enough to warrant hearing aids. I learned about getting baseline hearing test here but it took me 8 months to get appt.

REPLY
1 reply
scoop | @scoop | 7 hours ago

Never on the big 3 meds but have been on azithromycin over the many years I've had bronchiectasis. My doctors now steer clear of prescribing it for me. In one ear I have tinnitus with associated hearing loss, somewhat corrected with a Costco supplied hearing aid. It's difficult to say what caused it; there is some genetic predisposition and I have been on my share of azithromycin. I cannot recommend Costco highly enough for hearing tests and hearing aids. The wait time for an appointment was minimal. The cost of the single hearing aid was a fraction of a what a friend paid at a "local" audiologist.

REPLY
1 reply
winema | @winema | 6 hours ago
In reply to @scoop "Never on the big 3 meds but have been on azithromycin over the many years I've..." + (show)
@scoop

Never on the big 3 meds but have been on azithromycin over the many years I've had bronchiectasis. My doctors now steer clear of prescribing it for me. In one ear I have tinnitus with associated hearing loss, somewhat corrected with a Costco supplied hearing aid. It's difficult to say what caused it; there is some genetic predisposition and I have been on my share of azithromycin. I cannot recommend Costco highly enough for hearing tests and hearing aids. The wait time for an appointment was minimal. The cost of the single hearing aid was a fraction of a what a friend paid at a "local" audiologist.

Jump to this post

Thank you; your experience is encouraging. I already wear hearing aids and have had (since wearing them) mild tinnitus for years. It got worse after 4 weeks on Azithromycin, but has stabilized. I'll get another hearing test to compare with last one.

REPLY
winema | @winema | 6 hours ago
In reply to @rbl "I had tinnitus occasionally before treatment but while on ethambutol it became more frequent and bothersome...." + (show)
@rbl

I had tinnitus occasionally before treatment but while on ethambutol it became more frequent and bothersome. After treatment the tinnitus improved monthly as the time went on, I rarely get it anymore. As far as hearing loss, I did have some loss but I didn’t get tested until 8 months into treatment so I can’t say it was meds. My last one after treatment slightly improved, my hearing loss isn’t enough to warrant hearing aids. I learned about getting baseline hearing test here but it took me 8 months to get appt.

Jump to this post

Thanks for your encouraging experience! I'm sorry you had to wait 8 months to get a hearing test; wow!

REPLY
westcottkm3040 | @westcottkm3040 | 5 hours ago

I was on the big 3. And then added amakacin inhalation to the mix. That caused moderate hearing loss in one ear. I now have hearing aids. And still have MAC

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.