Drug-induced deafness and its treatment.

A comprehensive review is presented of the ototoxic effects of drugs which may damage hearing. These have been classified in tabular form together with the recommended dose, method of administration, and ill-effects upon the inner ear. Special emphasis is laid upon the hazard of prescribing such drugs in certain conditions, including in particular the presence of renal or hepatic insufficiency, and the importance of laboratory assessment of new antibiotics for ototoxicity before undertaking clinical trials.