Q: From the very beginning I cannot hear from my right ear but I can hear perfectly from my left ear. Will it effect the hearing capacity of left ear in future? I have checked up my right ear, which is non-hearing, in Apollo Hospital in Chennai. After check up they said that I cannot hear from my right ear because it is dead. There was no response to different types of sound waves in my right year. What are the precauitons I need to take for hearing loss?

A:Precautions for hearing loss It has been diagnosed that you suffer from hearing loss. It would be in your interest to observe the following precautions to avoid worsening of your hearing loss. The situations mentioned have been known to cause hearing loss if exposed to them. AVOID USE OF OTOTOXIC DRUGS unless indicated for lifethreatening complications: 1. Aminoglycoside antibiotics: Streptomycin, Dihydrostreptomycin, Neomycin, Viomycin, Framycetin, Vancomycin, Kanamycin, Ristocetin, Polymixin, Gentamycin, Tobramycin, Sisomycin, Netilmycin, Amikacin; Chloremphenicol, Erythromycin.. 2. Antiprotozoals: Quinine, Chloroquin (reversible in early), 3. Analgesics: Salycilates, Indomethacin, Diclofenac. 4. Diuretics: (Reversible) Ethacrynic Acid, Frusemide, Bumetanide, Piretanide 5. B adrenergic Blockers: (Reversible) Proctolol 6. Antiheparinising drugs :(Reversible) Polybrene 7. Cytostatic drugs: (in idiosyncracy) Cyclophosphamide, Nitrogen mustard, Cisplatinum 8. Local anaesthetics (at times) 9. Other drugs: Quinidine, Tricyclic antidepressants, Tetanus toxin(ideosyncracy), 10. Topical drugs: Chlorhexidine in spirit. 11. Heavy metals used in allopathic and indigenous drugs: arsenic, mercury, lead, Salversam, etc. DOUBTFUL OTOTOXICITY: 12. Diabetes control drugs. 13. Oil of chemopodium, 14. Atropine 15. Barbiturates, Dilantin 16. Librium. If There is any suspected impairment of hearing or Tinnitus (noises in the ear) while taking any of the above drugs, they should be stopped immediately if possible. -AVOID EXPOSURE TO LOUD NOISES: Factories, Jet engines, Guns, Loud rock concerts, etc. -AVOID SMOKING -Avoid using hairpins, matchsticks, and other sharp objects in the ear. You may gently use a cotton bud gently, without going too deep. -In case only one ear has Severe Sensory neural hearing loss, avoid any surgery to the other ear, unless for life threatening complications. -In case you develop earache, specially during a cough or cold episode, consult an ENT Surgeon without delay.