Coping with cancer is awful. As a result, patients receiving cancer treatment will in some cases feel compelled to dismiss cancer treatment side effects, including hearing loss, as insignificant. But for a great number of cancer survivors, there is a life after cancer and that’s a pretty important thing to keep in mind. And, of course, you want a very full and happy life!
This means it’s essential to talk to your care team about decreasing and managing side effects caused by your treatment. You’ll be able to enjoy life after cancer more fully, for instance, if you discuss 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 couple of decades. There are even some vaccines that can stop the development of certain cancers in the first place! But generally, doctors will utilize one or more of three different ways to fight this disease: radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery.
There are distinctive drawbacks and strengths to each of these, and in some cases, they’re used together. Your care team will use your diagnosis and prognosis to determine the best course of treatment.
Do all cancer treatments lead to hearing and balance problems? Normally, these side effects only accompany chemotherapy, but every patient is different.
Chemotherapy – what is it?
Chemotherapy is a mix of treatments that use strong chemicals to destroy cancer cells. Because of its highly successful track record, chemotherapy is frequently the leading treatment option for a wide range of cancers. But because these chemicals are so strong, chemotherapy can create some unpleasant side effects. Those side effects can include:
- Hearing loss
- Vomiting
- Sores in the mouth
- Hair loss
- Nausea
- Tiredness and fatigue
Side effects of chemotherapy often vary from person to person. Side effects might also vary based on the particular 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 necessarily the case with chemotherapy-induced hearing loss.
Can hearing loss be caused by chemotherapy?
Loss of hearing is not one of the better known side effects of chemotherapy. But hearing loss can be an actual side effect of chemotherapy. Is hearing loss from chemo permanent? In many cases, yes.
So, what type of chemotherapy frequently comes with long-term hearing loss? In general, hearing loss tends to be most common with platinum-based chemical protocols (called cisplatin-based chemotherapy). These kinds of therapies are most often utilized to treat head, neck, and gynecological cancers, but they can be used on other cancers as well.
Scientists believe that platinum-based chemotherapy chemicals attack and damage the tiny fragile stereocilia in the ears, but the exact cause-and-effect relationship is still unclear. This can trigger hearing loss that is often irreversible.
Hearing loss is something you want to keep your eye on, even when you’re fighting cancer
Hearing loss may not seem like that much of a worry when you’re combating cancer. But even when you’re dealing with cancer, there are substantial reasons why your hearing health is relevant:
- Hearing loss, especially neglected hearing loss, can negatively affect your mental health. Untreated hearing loss is closely related to increases in depression and anxiety. Someone who is fighting cancer already has a heavy weight on their shoulders and the last thing they need is more anxiety and depression.
- Hearing loss has been known to cause social isolation. This can aggravate many different conditions. In other words, receiving the correct treatment (or even buying the right groceries) can become harder when you’re feeling socially separated.
- Chemotherapy-caused hearing loss can also lead to balance issues and tinnitus. So, now you’re thinking: wait, does chemotherapy cause tinnitus too? Well, unfortunately, the answer is yes. This tinnitus and loss of balance can be a problem, too. When you’re recouping from chemotherapy, the last thing you need is to have a fall.
You’ll want to speak with your care team about reducing other health concerns while you’re fighting cancer.
What’s the solution?
You’re at the doctor’s constantly when you’re fighting cancer. But it’s beneficial 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:
- Establish a baseline for your hearing. This will make it significantly easier to identify 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. Your hearing specialist will have a more comprehensive knowledge of the state of your hearing and its needs, if you do have hearing loss.
So, can hearing loss from chemo be reversed? Regardless of the cause, sensorineural hearing loss has no cure, unfortunately. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a treatment. Your hearing loss can be treated and managed with the assistance of your hearing specialist. You might need hearing aids or you might just need your hearing to be tracked.
It’s mostly frequencies in the higher range that go when your hearing loss is due to chemo. Your day-to-day hearing might not even really be impacted.
Your hearing health is important
It’s critical to take care of your hearing health. If you’re worried about how chemotherapy might affect your hearing, consult 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 formulate a plan that will help you get in front of the symptoms.