There’s nothing that’s good about cancer. As a result, patients receiving cancer treatment will sometimes feel compelled to disregard cancer treatment side effects, such as hearing loss, as trivial. But for a great number of cancer survivors, there is a life after cancer and that’s an essential thing to remember. And you want that life to be as full and prosperous as possible.
This means it’s crucial to talk to your care team about minimizing and managing side effects caused by your treatment. By discussing possible hearing loss, tinnitus, or balance issues that may arise from chemotherapy, for instance, you’ll be more ready for what happens next, and be in a better position to truly enjoy life after cancer.
Available cancer treatments
In the past 20 years, substantial developments in cancer treatment have been accomplished. The development of certain cancers can even be prevented with vaccines. But, broadly speaking, there are still three typical ways that doctors will fight this serious disease: surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
There are unique drawbacks and strengths to each of these, and in some cases, they’re used together. The best treatment course will be determined by your diagnosis, your prognosis, and your care team.
Do all cancer treatments lead to hearing and balance problems? Well, every patient is different, but generally, these side effects are limited to chemotherapy.
What is chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is a mixture of treatments that use strong chemicals to destroy cancer cells. Because of its extremely successful track record, chemotherapy is frequently the leading treatment choice for a wide range of cancers. But because these chemicals are so powerful, chemotherapy can cause some unpleasant side effects. Those side effects can include:
- Loss of hearing
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Hair loss (including your nose hairs)
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Sores in the mouth
Every patient reacts to chemotherapy in their own way. Side effects might also vary based on the specific mix of chemicals used. Some of these side effects tend to be fairly visible and well known (hair loss, for instance). But that’s not always the case with chemotherapy-caused hearing loss.
Does chemo bring about hearing loss?
Loss of hearing is not one of the more well known side effects of chemotherapy. But hearing loss can be an actual side effect of chemotherapy. Is hearing loss from chemo permanent? The answer is often yes.
So is there a specific type of chemo that is more likely to result in hearing loss? Generally speaking, hearing loss tends to be most common with platinum-based chemical protocols (known as cisplatin-based chemotherapy). This type of therapy can be used on numerous kinds of cancers but is most frequently used to treat head, neck, and gynecological cancers.
Scientists believe that platinum-based chemotherapy chemicals attack and damage the little delicate stereocilia in the ears, but the exact cause-and-effect relationship is still unclear. Over time, this can trigger hearing loss, and that hearing loss tends to be permanent.
Hearing loss is something you want to keep your eye on, even when you’re fighting cancer
Hearing loss might not seem like that much of a concern when you’re combating cancer. But even when you’re coping with cancer, there are considerable reasons why your hearing health is relevant:
- Chemotherapy-caused hearing loss can also result in balance issues and tinnitus. So, now you’re thinking: wait, does chemotherapy cause tinnitus too? Unfortunately, yes. This tinnitus and loss of balance can be an issue, too. When you’re recouping from chemotherapy, the last thing you need is to have a fall.
- Social isolation is often the outcome of hearing loss. Lots of different conditions can be aggravated by this. In other words, obtaining the appropriate treatment (or even purchasing the right groceries) can become more difficult when you are feeling socially separated.
- Hearing loss, particularly neglected hearing loss, can negatively affect your mental health. Neglected hearing loss is closely associated with increases in depression and anxiety. Fighting cancer can, similarly, increase anxiety and depression, so you don’t want to add more fuel to that fire.
Reducing other health issues while you’re fighting cancer will most likely be a priority, and something you’ll want to speak with your care team about.
So what should you do?
You’re at the doctor’s a lot when you’re battling cancer. But don’t let that stop you from scheduling an appointment for a hearing exam.
Here are several things that visiting a hearing specialist will help with:
- Set a hearing baseline. This will make it considerably easier to detect hearing loss in the future.
- If you do detect hearing loss, it will be easier to get rapid treatment.
- Become a patient of a hearing specialist. If you detect hearing loss, your hearing specialist will have a more extensive picture of your needs, your health history, and what your hearing treatment should be.
So if you develop hearing loss from chemo, can it be reversed? Regardless of the cause, sensorineural hearing loss has no cure, sadly. But there are treatment solutions. Your hearing loss can be treated and managed with the assistance of your hearing specialist. You may need hearing aids or you may just need your hearing to be tracked.
It should be noted, too, that the majority of chemotherapy-caused hearing loss often affects the higher-range of hearing frequencies. It might not necessarily have any effect on your day-to-day hearing.
Your hearing health is important
It’s crucial to take care of your hearing health. Discuss any worries you might have about how chemotherapy might impact your hearing with your care team. Your treatment might not be able to change but at least you’ll be better able to track your symptoms and to get more rapid treatment.
Hearing loss can be induced by chemotherapy. But if you consult your hearing specialist, they will help you develop a plan that will help you stay in front of the symptoms.