Final answer:
Symptoms of ototoxicity include tinnitus, loss of balance, and vertigo, due to inner ear damage. Hearing aids can be effective for treating sensorineural and conductive hearing loss, by amplifying sound waves to improve hearing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The symptoms of ototoxicity generally include tinnitus, loss of balance, and vertigo. Ototoxicity refers to ear poisoning which occurs when the inner ear is damaged by exposure to certain chemicals or medications. Tinnitus is characterized by ringing or other noises in one or both ears. Loss of balance and vertigo are also common symptoms, resulting from the damage to the inner ear that affects the vestibular system, which helps control balance.
Hearing aids might be effective in treating certain types of hearing losses. For example, sensorineural hearing loss, which results from the absence or loss of hair cells in the organ of Corti or from an abnormal auditory nerve, can sometimes be alleviated with hearing aids. Conductive hearing loss, which may be due to problems with the bones of the middle ear or blockages, is also typically treated with hearing aids as they amplify sound waves to facilitate better vibration of the eardrum and movement of the ossicles.