There’s nothing that’s good about cancer. Because of this, patients getting cancer treatment will in some cases feel compelled to disregard cancer treatment side effects, like hearing loss, as trivial. But for a great number of cancer survivors, there is a life after cancer and that’s a pretty important thing to remember. And you want that life to be as meaningful and prosperous as possible.
This means it’s essential to talk to your care team about reducing and dealing with side effects caused by your treatment. You’ll be able to enjoy life after cancer more completely, for example, if you talk about potential balance and hearing problems that could develop after chemotherapy, with your care team.
Available cancer treatments
Cancer treatment has progressed substantially in the past couple of decades. There are even some vaccines that can prevent the development of some cancers in the first place! But, generally speaking, there are still three basic ways that doctors will combat this serious disease: surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
Each treatment option has its own unique strengths and drawbacks, and none of them are mutually exclusive. Your care team will use your diagnosis and prognosis to establish the best course of treatment.
Do all cancer treatments cause hearing and balance problems? Normally, these side effects only accompany chemotherapy, but every patient is different.
What is chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy destroys cancer cells with a blend of strong chemicals. Because of its very successful track record, chemotherapy is frequently the leading treatment option for a wide variety of cancers. But because these chemicals are so strong, chemotherapy can create some uncomfortable side effects. Those side effects can include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Mouth sores
- Loss of hearing
- Hair loss
Side effects of chemotherapy tend to vary from person to person. The particular mix of chemicals also has a substantial impact on the specific side effects. Some of these side effects tend to be fairly visible and well known (hair loss, for instance). But that isn’t always the case with chemotherapy-induced hearing loss.
Does chemo produce hearing loss?
Hearing loss isn’t the most prominent chemotherapy side effect. But the reality is that chemotherapy can and does bring about hearing loss. Is chemo-induced hearing loss irreversible? In many cases, yes.
So, which chemotherapy frequently comes with long-term hearing loss? Platinum-based chemical protocols (also called cisplatin-based chemotherapy) are more typically responsible for hearing loss side effects. These kinds of therapies are most often utilized to treat head, neck, and gynecological cancers, but they can be used for other cancers as well.
Scientists aren’t exactly certain how the cause and effect works, but the general sense is that platinum-based chemotherapy chemicals are especially skilled at causing harm to the fragile hairs in your ear. Over time, this can cause hearing loss, and that hearing loss tends to be permanent.
Even if you’re fighting cancer, you should still keep your eye on hearing loss
When you’re fighting cancer, hearing loss may not feel like your most pressing concern. But even when you’re dealing with cancer, there are substantial reasons why your hearing health is relevant:
- Hearing loss can negatively affect your mental health, especially if that hearing loss is neglected. Neglected hearing loss is closely associated with increases in depression and anxiety. Somebody who is fighting cancer already has a heavy weight on their shoulders and the last thing they need is added anxiety and depression.
- Tinnitus and balance problems can also be the result of chemo-associated hearing loss. 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 result of hearing loss. Many different conditions can be aggravated by this. In other words, receiving the correct treatment (or even buying the right groceries) can become more difficult when you are feeling socially separated.
Minimizing other health concerns while you’re fighting cancer will likely be a priority, and something you’ll want to talk to your care team about.
What’s the solution?
When you’re battling cancer, your life becomes a laundry list of doctor’s appointments. But it’s worthwhile to add one more appointment to your list: schedule an appointment with a hearing specialist.
Here are a number of things that seeing a hearing specialist will help with:
- It will be easier to receive fast treatment when you notice the signs or symptoms of hearing loss.
- Become a patient of a hearing specialist. Your hearing specialist will have a more in depth knowledge of the state of your hearing and its needs, if you do have hearing loss.
- Set a baseline for your hearing. Then, if you experience hearing loss in the future, it will be easier to identify.
So if you get hearing loss from chemo, can it be cured? Regrettably, sensorineural hearing loss is permanent, no matter the cause. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be treated. Your hearing specialist will be able to help you address and manage your hearing loss. You might require hearing aids or you might simply need your hearing to be tracked.
It should be noted, too, that the majority of chemotherapy-caused hearing loss normally impacts the higher-range of hearing frequencies. Your day-to-day hearing may not even really be effected.
Caring for your hearing is important
It’s critical to take care of your hearing health. Discuss any concerns you may have about how chemotherapy could affect your hearing with your care team. Your treatment might not be able to be altered but at least you’ll be better able to keep an eye on your symptoms and to get more rapid treatment.
Chemotherapy can trigger hearing loss. But if you talk to your hearing specialist, they will help you develop a plan that will help you get in front of the symptoms.
