Hydrocortisone / neomycin / polymyxin b otic and Hearing Loss: What Users Say

• Fru...
• September 27, 2019

For Otitis Externa "Prescribed by an ENT for an outer ear infection, I used these drops for 5 days & seemed to take care of the infection, however, one week later, my hearing became muffled. I returned to the ENT, who said I had Eustachian Tube Dysfunction & prescribed steroids, etc., but it only worsened to the point of being debilitating. An MRI was ordered, a CT scan performed with negative results. I saw 3 other ENTs who also were unable to help. After 4 months, I was referred to my 4th ENT, who found the drops had left a residue forming a cast on my eardrum, rendering it unable to move. 3 wks of oil treatment helped loosen the cast from my drum, it was easily removed, and although this freed up my eardrum, my ear is still struggling to clear. I am appalled that drops that could cause such damage are being prescribed."

• Joh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 8, 2020

For Otitis Externa "I used the drops in both ears for a week because my ears were itchy. The itch went away, but after a week, my ears became clogged, sounds were muffled, and there was hearing loss in the right ear. I went to the ENT after two weeks. It seems that the suspension caused a crust to form on the ear drums, preventing them from vibrating, which caused the muffled sound and the hearing loss. The ENT used a small tweezer, pulled crust from both ears, and voila... I could hear again. If you get the symptoms I had, let your ENT know to check for that. Don’t use the suspension for longer than 10 days."

• Ron...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 27, 2019

For Otitis Externa "I had an incident where a bug crawled into my ear while I was sleeping, and believe me, it was extremely painful. I went to the ER, and they pulled it out and wrote me a prescription for Hydrocortisone/Neomycin/Polymyxin B Otic to ensure I would not develop an ear infection after the procedure. I was instructed to use 3-4 drops, 3 times a day for 7 days and then discontinue use of them. I followed these instructions precisely. 3 days after I stopped taking them, my inner ear started to become extremely itchy, and I had discharge coming out of my ear. After that, my inner ear was scaly and painful and itchy. It has since then spread to my outer earlobe. My earlobe is covered in a rash and is swollen. I also experienced hearing loss, and I now have a lump behind my ear. Please do not use these drops."

• Con...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 10, 2022

Hydrocortisone / neomycin / polymyxin b otic for Otitis Externa "In September 2021, I had a lot of itching and burning in my right outer ear canal. It felt like a zit in my ear canal. My ear canal began to get inflamed and wasn't improving, so I went to urgent care. The PA looked in my ear and said my 'eardrum looked inflamed.' She prescribed these otic antibiotic/steroid drops. They instantly caused more itching and burning in my ear, and I noticed that it was drying up in my ear. I now had tinnitus and a feeling of pressure and muffled hearing. My ear canal began to swell up. After four days of this, I did some research and found a lot of reviews on another site where people had increased pain and itching, and loss of hearing and tinnitus. Something most reviews have in common is that people found out their blocked hearing and itching and pain was being caused by this medication drying up on their eardrum and forming a cast. The cast keeps the eardrum from vibrating, which decreases hearing, and caused a muffled or blocked sound in the ear. Don't use."

• Anonymous
• April 15, 2020

For Middle Ear Infections "I went to a new PCP with chief complaints of a migraine, ear infection, sore throat, and nasal drip on March 13th, 2020. The antibiotic did not work, and my ears were still in pain on March 21, 2020. My PCP then called me with a prescription for these hydrocortisone/neomycin/polymyxin B ear drops. My ears got extremely worse than before, making it unbearable. I went to the hospital, and the doctor told me that I still have an ear infection and scarring inside my ears! Both of my ears now have hearing loss, ringing, severe pain, migraines, sinus pain, coughing, memory loss, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gas, dry mouth, dry throat, loss of voice, shaking of hands, slow and jerky muscle movements, frequent urination, bowel cramps, feeling about to pass out, dizziness, chest pain, tight chest and breathing problems, loss of appetite, and insomnia. I pray that this medicine is removed from the shelves. It is a dangerous drug, and I pray that it does not cause lifelong threatening complications or even death after using it."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2021

For Otitis Externa "This was an awful medicine. Was prescribed this for a mild ear infection with some swelling. Every application worsened symptoms, and within 12 hours, the ear was swollen shut, and I could barely hear out of it. I went to the ER due to hearing loss, and the criminally negligent staff placed an ear wick and insisted I continue using this toxin. Within 48 hours, further applications had caused the pain to spread to the entire left side of my face, worsening noticeably after each application. Was too sensitive to sleep the following night."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 8, 2016

For Middle Ear Infections "This was prescribed to my son who has tubes in his ears. It caused him even more pain, and once the crying stopped, it put him in a comatose state for an hour or more each time we put them in. We stopped it even though his doctor said to continue for two more days. I couldn't watch my 2-year-old go through this anymore. We are contemplating a lawsuit against the doctor who prescribed them as it may have caused hearing loss."

• San...
• April 15, 2020

For Middle Ear Infections "I went to a new PCP with chief complaints of a migraine, ear infection, sore throat, and nasal drip on March 13th, 2020. The antibiotic did not work and my ears were still in pain. On March 21, 2020, my PCP then called me a prescription for these ear drops. My ears got extremely worse than before, making it unbearable. I went to the hospital and the doctor told me that I still have an ear infection and scarring inside my ears! Both of my ears now have hearing loss, ringing, severe pain, migraines, sinus pain, coughing, memory loss, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gas, dry mouth, dry throat, loss of voice, shaking of hands, slow and jerky muscle movements, frequent urination, bowel cramps, feeling about to pass out, dizziness, chest pain, tight chest, and breathing problems, loss of appetite, insomnia. I pray that you remove this medicine from the shelves. It is a dangerous drug and I pray that it does not cause lifelong threatening complications or even death after using it."

• Kat...
• August 24, 2020

For Middle Ear Infections "I got water stuck in my ear 2 weeks prior and could hear it slosh around every once in a while, and it started to be tender to the touch. Called Teladoc on a Saturday to see if they would rx me something to help. I was prescribed these awful drops and started them Saturday late afternoon. The first dose was fine, but it was during my second dose that night that I started having excruciating pain and loss of hearing in my ear. My whole neck and cheek were swollen, and I couldn’t chew. It was worse than before I started the drops. I thought if I continued to use them, it would get better. I was wrong, I continued for another day and a half and was in bed with throbbing pain at all times. The only thing that gave me brief relief was a hot rice pack. I went into my Dr. that Monday and had a 101 fever and 123 HR. My Dr. said my ear canal was so swollen he couldn’t see past it. My symptoms didn’t turn until I started these drops! Spare yourself and please do not use these drops, throw them away!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 24, 2021

For Otitis Externa "Like so many other reviews, I was prescribed this drug for an external ear infection. After completing the drops, my hearing sounded slightly muffled, and I can hear a crackling sound. My ear became incredibly itchy and painful all the way out to my earlobe. Went back and got oil drops, they seem to be helping remove the crust that has formed over my eardrum and soothe the rest of my irritated skin."

• Not...
• October 7, 2021

For Otitis Externa "Was given this stuff from an ENT. It made my ear feel worse, after three days of using, loss of hearing. Very annoyed this was given to me with a horrible review list all over the web. I was clogged up from this, and my jaw started to hurt as well. I recommend using cotton with drops of oil of oregano on the cotton. Then lightly set it in the ear, what you want is the vapor to fill the ear. Don't put the oil by itself in your ear, for it can burn a little."

• Anonymous
• February 14, 2017

For Middle Ear Infections "I had an ear infection after having swimmer's ear. Dr. prescribed me this, and now I have hearing loss! It's horrible!"

• Dia...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2019

For Middle Ear Infections "Lost hearing in my ear using this med. Finally went to a specialist, he said this seeped into the inner ear. Could cause a problem. Pain unbearable. User beware. Don't use this product."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 6, 2022

For Middle Ear Infections "It made me go deaf. Sudden hearing loss. Then doctors didn't believe me. Awful."