# Information counselling during treatment with ototoxic medications for TB: a call to action

## TL;DR

This paper highlights the need for better information counseling about hearing risks from aminoglycosides used in treating drug-resistant TB.

## Contribution

The paper emphasizes the critical role of audiologists in providing structured counseling for patients on ototoxic medications.

## Key findings

- Bedaquiline has reduced the use of ototoxic drugs in TB treatment.
- Aminoglycosides are still necessary for some XDR-TB patients.
- There is a lack of awareness about ototoxic effects in South Africa.

## Abstract

The introduction of bedaquiline (BDQ) has reduced the reliance on ototoxic drugs (e.g., aminoglycosides) for drug-resistant TB (DR-TB). This has significantly reduced ototoxic symptoms, such as tinnitus and dizziness, which often precede irreversible hearing loss. However, aminoglycosides remain essential for some extensively drug-resistant individuals with TB (XDR-TB) who are resistant to BDQ. In South Africa, there is a lack of adequate awareness of the potential ototoxic effects of aminoglycosides. The increasing prevalence of XDR-TB has, therefore, intensified the need for comprehensive information counselling. We call for a proactive role for audiologists in providing early, structured information counselling for these individuals.