Re: Why Rush is Deaf ( was Re: Butt-boils....

On Fri, 03 Oct 2003 23:58:02 -0500, Peter H. Proctor <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
wrote:

>Is this why Rush had a cochlear implant ?
>
>Am J Otol. 2000 Mar;21(2):188-91.  
>
>"Profound hearing loss associated with hydrocodone/acetaminophen
>abuse."  Friedman RA, House JW, Luxford WM, Gherini S, Mills D.
>
>"CONCLUSIONS: Hydrocodone is frequently prescribed in combination with
>acetaminophen for the relief of pain and has a side effects profile
>similar to other medications in its class. Although not described
>previously, overuse or abuse can be associated with a rapidly
>progressive sensorineural hearing loss.  These patients can be
>successfully rehabilitated with cochlear implantation. "
>
>Dr P
>

Also:

PROFOUND HEARING LOSS ASSOCIATED WITH HYDROCODONE ABUSE 
  
Rick A. Friedman, M.D., Dawna Mills, M.S., John W. House, M.D. 
William M. Luxford, M.D., Stuart Gherini, M.D. 
  
  
Objectives: To describe profound hearing loss associated with hydrocodone 
overuse and the successful rehabilitation of these patients with cochlear 
implantation. 
Study Design: This is a retrospective review. 
Setting: A tertiary otologic referral center. 
Patients: Six patients presenting with rapidly progressive hearing loss and
a 
concurrent history of hydrocodone overuse. 
Interventions: Comprehensive medical histories, physical findings,
audiometric tests and, in those cases undergoing cochlear implantation,
post-implantion performance data were reviewed. 

Main Outcome Measures: Clinical characteristics of hydrocodone related
hearing loss and open set word and sentence performance in those patients
undergoing cochlear implantation. 

Results: Hydrocodone overuse was associated with rapidly progressive 
sensorineural hearing loss in six patients. In three patients the initial 
presentation was unilateral. None of the patients experienced vestibular 
symptoms and none responded to prednisone therapy. The four patients 
undergoing cochlear implantation have demonstrated early success with their
devices. 

Conclusions: Hydrocodone is frequently prescribed in combination with 
acetaminophen for the relief of pain with a side-effects profile similar to
other medications in its class. Although not described previously, overuse
or abuse can be associated with a rapidly progressive bilateral
sensorineural hearing loss. These patients can be successfully
rehabilitated with cochlear implantation. 

http://itsa.ucsf.edu/~ajo/Society%20Programs/AOS1999abs.html