Study Says Analgesics May Cause Hearing Loss in Women

9/19/2012 2:00 PM EST

Women who frequently popped certain analgesics—medicines such as such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen—for two or more days in a week had a higher risk of developing hearing loss, says a recent study.

Science Daily reports that the study of more than 62,000 women by researchers at Boston’s Brigham and Women's Hospital found that taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen more than once a week increased the risk of hearing loss. The study will publish in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

Women who took ibuprofen two or more times weekly were 13 percent more likely to develop hearing loss. Those who took the medicine 5-4 times a week had a 21 percent higher chance of hearing loss, writes Science Daily.

Meanwhile, women using acetaminophen two or more times weekly had an 11 percent increased risk for hearing loss. Women who took the medicine 4-to-5 days per week had a 21 percent increased risk.

The study found no association between aspirin use and hearing loss.

Analgesics are sold over the counter and do not need prescription, but they also have side effect like any regular medicine.

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