Mechanisms and Impact of Aminoglycoside-Induced Vestibular Deficits

Abstract

Purpose: Acquired vestibulotoxicity from hospital-prescribed medications such as aminoglycoside antibiotics affects as many as 40,000 people each year North America. However, there are no current federally approved drugs to pvent or treat the debilitating and permanent loss of vestibular function causby bactericidal aminoglycoside antibiotics. This review will cover our curreunderstanding of the impact of, and mechanisms underlying, aminoglycoside-induced vestibulotoxicity and highlight the gaps in our knowledge that remain. Conclusions: Aminoglycoside-induced vestibular deficits have long-term impacts on patients across the lifespan. Additionally, the prevalence of aminoglycosidinduced vestibulotoxicity appears to be greater than cochleotoxicity. Thus, montoring for vestibulotoxicity should be independent of auditory monitoring anencompass patients of all ages from young children to older adults before, ding, and after aminoglycoside therapy.