My doctor wants me to take the Rebetron Combination Therapy (interferon and ribarivin) for 48 weeks for my chronic hepatitis C. I read that interferon is a known audiotoxin that can cause tinnitus and sudden hearing loss while on the treatment, and can also cause some irreversible hearing loss. Do you know whether an ear doctor can treat the tinnitus and improve my hearing while on the treatment, and can the doctor do anything about the irreversible hearing loss after the treatment is over? Thanks.


[This message has been edited by mjn1154 (edited 02-06-2001).]

Tinnitus is generally not curable and is something you have to live with. As for hearing loss being corrected, it depends on what type of hearing loss it is and what the cause is. As your doctor or pharamacist what percent of the people had these side effects from this treatment so that you can make an informed decision about whether to use the treatment or not. Not all people will have all the side effects listed for the drug. Hope this helps some.

Thank you for the information.