Are glucocorticoids in ear drops ototoxic?

Ototopical drugs such as antiseptics, antibiotics and solvents can have an ototoxic potential. These substances are often combined with an anti-inflammatory steroid of which hydrocortisone is one of the most commonly used. Little is known of possible adverse effects on the inner ear of hydrocortisone. From animal experiments it has been shown that this drug applied in the round window niche will impair the ABR thresholds in the high frequency range. The ototoxic potential of glucocorticoids will be discussed and questioned.