A new study, Increased Risk of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Patients Receiving Sedative-Hypnotics: A Propensity Score Weighting Cohort Study, by Yang HW and colleagues explores a possible link between benzodiazepine receptor agonists (BZRA) and the risk of sudden hearing loss, known as sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). SSNHL happens quickly, causing hearing loss in one or both ears and is considered a medical emergency.
At Benzodiazepine Information Coalition, this study is of great interest because many patients report changes in hearing during benzodiazepine use, the cessation process, and as part of the protracted syndrome or benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction.
Read the full study here.
Study Details:
- Data Source: The study used a large database (Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2005) covering 2 million people.
- Goal: To see if BZRA use might directly cause SSNHL, while reducing biases common in observational studies.
- Method: Researchers used a statistical method called inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) to adjust for other factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, and mental health conditions.
Key Findings:
- Increased Risk: BZRA users had a higher risk of SSNHL compared to non-users, especially in the first year of use and among younger adults.
- Affected Groups: The risk was observed across men, women, and various health conditions, like diabetes and anxiety.
- Call for Awareness: Doctors and policymakers should monitor hearing problems in BZRA users.
Study Limits:
- The database did not say if hearing loss affected one ear or both, which might affect results.
- It lacked data on lifestyle factors like noise exposure or smoking, which could also play a role.
Ethics and Funding:
The study was ethically approved and funded by Taiwan’s government. No major conflicts of interest were reported.
This research highlights a potential risk of hearing loss with sedative-hypnotic use and suggests more studies are needed to understand the causes. You can read the full study for more details.
Oh my! Is this why I’ve been experiencing tinnitus in both ears for the past seven years? A neurologist even tried to prescribe phenobarbital for it, even though I’ve been on Klonopin for over 30 years. Now, as I am in my seventh month of detoxing from Klonopin, my tinnitus has worsened. Is there any hope for improvement?
Six years on klonopin, and nine years off. I still have hearing sensitivity from that drug along with other symptoms.
I was unaware that I had hearing loss in my left ear. A few days ago my ear bud fell out of my right ear and all of a sudden I couldn’t hear anything.
I was shocked and didn’t believe it. So I tested and yes. I lost my hearing in my left ear.
I would love to talk with someone about this.
Brenda Citron
760-567-3321
This hits home in its own way for me.
I was on Clonazapam for 27 years before suffering through an, at least, 18-month long detoxification period.
One of the adverse reactions I suffered was ringing in my ears. I am 2 years and 7 months off that medication. My ears are still ringing.
Mine ring like crazy…tennitus
I would ove to talk with you.
Brenda Citron
760-566-3321
I ‘hear’ ‘ya … 36 years on clonazepam – just finished my 2 yr. taper 3 mos. ago.
The ringing in my ears began decades ago – so yeah, from the benzo . Learned to live with it.. I still have it. Generally mild now, however yesterday I did a strength session with heavier upper body weigh & I awoke & still have pretty blaring ringing. (Hissing) that’s exacerbated by the neck.shoulder muscles getting overworked …and so it goes. Just grateful to be off the benzo