A new study shows that women who frequently take ibuprofen and paracetamol could cause permanent damage to their hearing.
The drugs might cut off blood supply to the inner section of the ear, so taking two or more of the painkillers per week for over six years could lead to deafness.
The study, which was published in the Journal of Epidemiology, followed 55,850 women between the ages of 44 and 69. Almost half of the women in the study reported a problem with their hearing, and women who take painkillers at least twice a week were more likely to report hearing damage.
In addition to reducing blood flow to the inner ear, paracetamol can deplete the antioxidants in the ear, which makes the ear more susceptible to damage from loud noises.
This damage could occur in both younger and older women.
Researchers need to conduct more tests or studies before they can determine whether painkillers really are a cause of hearing loss or if the hearing damage occurs as a result of other factors.
However, if painkillers are responsible for hearing loss, women can prevent hearing loss by reducing their use of ibuprofen and paracetamol.
Aspirin, unlike ibuprofen and paracetamol, does not seem to be linked to hearing loss.
