Definition of "ototoxic" [ototoxic]

• Having a toxic effect on the structures of the ear, especially on its nerve supply. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "If you are taking ototoxic antibiotics then this may be the reason that your ears are ringing."
• "Infants at high risk for hearing loss are those with a family history of hereditary childhood sensorineural hearing loss, hyperbilirubinemia, ototoxic medications, bacterial meningitis, birth weight of less than 1500 grams (3.3 pounds), in-utero infections, craniofacial abnormailites, low apgar scores, mechanical ventilation of 5 days or longer, or other syndromes known to included hearing loss."
• "My father suffered severe hearing loss due to an ototoxic drug antibiotic and my ORL advised me to claim I have an allergy to aspirin, rather than argue with Anglo-saxon 'doctors'."