Age related cochlear toxicity from noise and antibiotics--a review.

Laboratory experimental evidence indicates that there is an age related susceptibility to cochlear damage from noise exposure and ototoxic antibiotics. In some rodents there is a critical period of auditory development during which there is greater vulnerability to such damage and, in some species, noise induced damage is influenced by genotype. Available data from patients are inconclusive in this regard. Further careful studies are indicated in this area. All available evidence emphasizes that caution should be exercised in the use of ototoxic drugs during pregnancy, in neonates, young children, and older people.