Expert: Levi A. Reiter, Ph.D. - 8/20/2004

Question
My elderly 76 years old Uncle was told that part of his hearing loss may have been caused by his having Malaria when he was in Koria in the Korean War. Is this possible and where can I find additional information to confirm this ?

Answer
Dear David,

The most popular treatment for malaria especially in those days was quinine.  Quinine is a known Ototoxic drug.  Although it helps treat Malaria, at the same time it damages the delicate outer hair cells of the cochlea (inner ear).  These hair cells are the mechanisms which produce the nerve impulses which then travel to the brain, and are perceived as sound.  

My opinion then is  that it was the quinine, and not the malaria that caused your grandfather's hearing loss.

You can probably find out about the ototoxic effects of quinine by entering 'quinine, otoxicity' on GOOGLE.

Incidently, your grandfather's hearing loss may also have been contributed to by the gun fire that he was exposed to in the war.

I hope this helps.

Thanks for asking.

LAR