Final answer:
Aminoglycosides are the antibiotic class that can affect hearing adversely.
Step-by-step explanation:
The antibiotic class that can affect hearing adversely is aminoglycosides. Aminoglycosides, such as streptomycin, gentamicin, neomycin, and kanamycin, are potent broad-spectrum antibacterials. However, they have been shown to be nephrotoxic (damaging to the kidneys), neurotoxic (damaging to the nervous system), and ototoxic (damaging to the ears).