Question:

Irreversible hearing loss is caused by which of the following?

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Aminoglycoside hair-cell damage does not recover; macrolide hearing loss does.
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
  • Gentamicin
  • Clarithromycin
  • Both of the above
  • None of the above
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Ototoxicity differs in reversibility depending on the drug. The crucial distinction here is between a permanent and a temporary effect on hearing.

Step 2: Gentamicin, the most commonly used aminoglycoside, damages the cochlear and vestibular hair cells. It causes vestibular toxicity and irreversible (permanent) hearing loss, because the destroyed hair cells do not regenerate. So option a is correct.

Step 3: Clarithromycin, a macrolide, can cause hearing loss too, but it is reversible and resolves on stopping the drug. Therefore 'Both' is wrong (only gentamicin gives irreversible loss), and 'None' is clearly incorrect because gentamicin does cause it.
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