There’s nothing that’s good about cancer. As a result, patients getting cancer treatment will sometimes feel compelled to disregard cancer treatment side effects, like hearing loss, as insignificant. But it’s essential to keep in mind that, for a lot of cancer patients, there is life after your disease. And you want that life to be as meaningful 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. You’ll be able to enjoy life after cancer more fully, for instance, if you talk about possible balance and hearing issues that could arise after chemotherapy, with your care team.
Cancer treatment options
Cancer treatment has advanced significantly in the past 20 years. The development of some cancers can even be prevented with vaccines. But in general, doctors will make use of one or more of three different ways to fight this disease: radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery.
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 cause hearing and balance issues? Well, every patient is different, but in general, these side effects are limited to chemotherapy.
What is chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy destroys cancer cells with a blend of strong chemicals. For a wide range of cancers, chemotherapy is the primary course of treatment because of its extremely successful track record. But chemotherapy can produce some very uncomfortable side effects because these chemicals are so strong. Those side effects can include:
- Hearing loss
- Hair loss
- Nausea
- Sores in the mouth
- Vomiting
- Fatigue and tiredness
Every patient responds to chemotherapy in their own way. Side effects might also vary according to the particular mix of chemicals used. Some of these side effects are often pretty visible and well known (hair loss, for example). But not so many individuals are aware of chemotherapy induced hearing loss.
Can hearing loss be caused by chemotherapy?
Hearing loss isn’t the most prominent chemotherapy side effect. But the truth is that chemotherapy can and does cause hearing loss. Is chemo-induced hearing loss irreversible? The answer is often yes.
So is there a specific type of chemo that is more likely to result in hearing loss? Platinum-based chemical protocols (also known as cisplatin-based chemotherapy) are more typically responsible for hearing loss side effects. This type of therapy can be used on various forms of cancers but is most frequently used to treat head, neck, and gynecological cancers.
Scientists aren’t really sure how the cause and effect works, but the general sense is that platinum-based chemotherapy chemicals are particularly proficient at causing harm to the delicate hairs in your ear. Over time, this can trigger hearing loss, and that hearing loss tends to be permanent.
Hearing loss is something you want to pay attention to, even when you’re fighting cancer
When you’re battling cancer, hearing loss might not feel like your biggest concern. But even when you’re coping with cancer, there are significant reasons why your hearing health is relevant:
- Chemotherapy-caused hearing loss can also lead to balance problems and tinnitus. So, now you’re thinking: wait, does chemotherapy cause tinnitus too? Regrettably, yes. This tinnitus and loss of balance can be a problem, too. You don’t want to fall down when you’re recovering from your chemotherapy treatment!
- Hearing loss has been known to cause social isolation. Many different conditions can be aggravated by this. In other words, receiving the appropriate treatment (or even purchasing the right groceries) can become harder when you are feeling socially separated.
- Hearing loss, especially neglected hearing loss, can negatively impact your mental health. Untreated hearing loss is closely related to 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.
Decreasing other health issues while you’re fighting cancer will most 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 never-ending doctor’s appointments. But don’t allow that to stop you from setting up an appointment for a hearing test.
Seeing a hearing specialist will help you do several things:
- If you do detect hearing loss, it will be easier to obtain rapid treatment.
- Establish a hearing baseline. This will make it significantly easier to detect hearing loss in the future.
- Establish a relationship with a hearing professional. 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, can hearing loss as a result of chemo be reversed? No matter the cause, sensorineural hearing loss can’t be cured, regrettably. But there are treatment solutions. Your hearing specialist will be able to help you treat and manage your hearing loss. This might mean basic monitoring or it might include a set of hearing aids.
It’s mostly frequencies in the higher register that go when your hearing loss is due to chemo. It might not even have any effect on your day-to-day hearing.
Your hearing health is important
Paying attention to your hearing is essential. If you have concerns about how chemotherapy may affect your hearing, consult your care team. You may not be able to change treatment options, but at least you’ll be able to closely monitor your symptoms and treat them accordingly.
Chemotherapy can cause hearing loss. But if you talk to your hearing specialist, they will help you make a plan that will help you stay in front of the symptoms.