A study was conducted by eHealthMe based on around thirty million reports from the US FDA as well as reports from the community. It was found that Lisinopril and hearing loss are connected when it comes to some people. (See Reference 1)

Usually, if you check the interaction of drugs or possible side effects of Lisinopril, there is no mention of hearing loss being one of the side effects. However, there have been cases of people losing their hearing, and some have had sudden hearing loss. (See Reference 1) In March 2011, around 5,067 people confirmed that they suffered from side effects after taking Lisinopril. Out of these 14 people ended up with hearing loss and this amount to around 0.28 percent of the total people who complained of side effects. However, there have been patients right from 1998 who have been complaining of complete hearing loss. In the year 1998, 2 people suffered from hearing loss after taking Lisinopril; in the year 2002, 2 more people experienced the same problem; in the year 2005, 4 people suffered from loss of hearing. (See Reference 1)

It was seen that most people who suffered from hearing loss after taking Lisinopril for 1 to 6 months and again those who were taking the medication for 2 to 5 years. (See Reference 1) Both men and women complained of hearing, with around 57.14 percent of women suffering compared to 42.86 percent of men. (See Reference 1) Age also seems to have a bearing as those within the age bracket of 30 to 39 years, 40 to 49 years and over 60 complained of loss of hearing when using Lisinopril. It was seen that hearing loss was highest among patients who were more than 60 years of age and least among those who were between the ages of 30 and 39 years. (See Reference 1)

The reason for hearing loss with the use of Lisinopril has been attributed to low levels of potassium in the blood. Hypokalemia, or low potassium levels, can also result in weakness of the muscles, fatigue, lack of energy, and arrhythmia. (See Reference 2) There is some research to suggest that as a person grows older, the levels of potassium in the body tend to reduce. As the inner ear is highly sensitive to alterations in the levels of potassium, it can have an adverse effect on the hearing of the person. (See Reference 3)

Under normal circumstances, the adrenal glands maintain the levels of sodium and potassium in the body by secreting a hormone known as aldosterone. The hormone helps to reduce the elimination of sodium via the kidney and increase the elimination of potassium by the kidneys. (See Reference 3) When this hormone is produced in large quantities by the body, the amount of potassium eliminated from the body increases, resulting in low levels of potassium in the blood. When a person is taking Lisinopril, the medication reduces the levels of potassium in the blood just like the hormone would do under natural circumstances. (See Reference 4) This is really ironic as low potassium levels are invariably the cause of high blood pressure. (See Reference 4) When potassium levels in the blood get lowered, it can affect a person's hearing and can lead to temporary deafness. (See Reference 4)

If a person is suffering from hearing loss due to Lisinopril, it is imperative that the potassium levels in the body are checked. If the levels are found to be too low, the doctor will recommend the course of action. By getting the potassium levels back to normal, it can alleviate the problem of hearing loss. (See Reference 4) Rather than taking supplements, the person may be advised to consume foods that are rich in potassium to bring the levels back to normal. (See Reference 4)

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