There’s nothing that’s good about cancer. Because of this, patients getting cancer treatment will sometimes feel compelled to disregard cancer treatment side effects, such as hearing loss, as trivial. But for a large number of cancer survivors, there will be a life after cancer and that’s a pretty important thing to keep in mind. And you want that life to be as full and prosperous as possible.
Speaking with your healthcare team about managing and minimizing side effects is so important because of this. By talking about possible hearing loss, tinnitus, or balance problems that may develop from chemotherapy, for instance, you’ll be more ready for what comes next, and be in a better position to fully enjoy life after cancer.
Cancer treatment options
In the past 20 years, significant developments in cancer treatment have been accomplished. The development of some cancers can even be prevented with vaccines. But, broadly speaking, there are still three standard ways that doctors will fight this serious disease: surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
Each treatment method has its own unique strengths and drawbacks, and none of them are mutually exclusive. Your care team will use your diagnosis and prognosis to determine the best course of treatment.
Do hearing and balance problems come with all cancer treatments? Well, each patient is different, but generally, these side effects are limited to chemotherapy.
What is chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy destroys cancer cells with a blend of strong chemicals. Because of its extremely successful track record, chemotherapy is frequently the main treatment option for a wide range of cancers. But because these chemicals are so strong, chemotherapy can produce some unpleasant side effects. Here are a few of these side effects:
- Sores in the mouth
- Hair loss
- Nausea
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Vomiting
- Hearing loss
Every patient responds to chemotherapy in their own way. The particular combination of chemicals also has a considerable impact on the specific side effects. Some of these side effects tend to be pretty visible and well known (hair loss, for example). But that isn’t always the case with chemotherapy-induced hearing loss.
Does chemo bring about hearing loss?
Loss of hearing isn’t one of the better known side effects of chemotherapy. But the truth is that chemotherapy can and does cause hearing loss. Is hearing loss from chemo permanent? In many instances, yes.
So is there a specific type of chemo that is more likely to result in hearing loss? Platinum-based chemical protocols (also called cisplatin-based chemotherapy) are more typically responsible for hearing loss side effects. This type of therapy can be used on numerous kinds of cancers but is most often used to treat head, neck, and gynecological cancers.
Scientists aren’t really sure how the cause and effect works, but the basic thought is that platinum-based chemotherapy chemicals are especially adept at causing harm to the fragile hairs in your ear. Over time, this can trigger hearing loss, and that hearing loss is usually permanent.
Even if you’re battling cancer, you still need to keep your eye on hearing loss
When you’re battling cancer, hearing loss might not seem like your most pressing concern. But there are considerable reasons why your hearing health is relevant, even in the midst of battling cancer:
- Hearing loss can negatively affect your mental health, especially if that hearing loss is untreated. Untreated hearing loss is closely associated with increases in depression and anxiety. Somebody who is battling cancer already has a heavy weight on their shoulders and the last thing they need is more anxiety and depression.
- Social isolation is frequently the result of hearing loss. Many different conditions can be exacerbated by this. In other words, getting the appropriate treatment (or even purchasing the right groceries) can become harder when you are feeling socially separated.
- Tinnitus and balance issues can also be the outcome of chemo-associated hearing loss. So, now you’re thinking: wait, does chemotherapy lead to tinnitus too? Well, unfortunately, the answer is yes. This tinnitus and loss of balance can be a problem, too. You don’t want to fall down when you’re recuperating from your chemotherapy treatment!
You’ll want to speak with your care team about minimizing other health concerns while you’re fighting cancer.
What’s the solution?
When you’re fighting cancer, your life becomes a laundry list of doctor’s appointments. But it’s important to add one more appointment to your list: schedule an appointment with a hearing specialist.
Visiting a hearing specialist will help you do a number of things:
- Establish a hearing baseline. Then, if you experience hearing loss in the future, it will be easier to detect.
- It will be easier to receive fast treatment when you experience the signs or symptoms of hearing loss.
- Become a patient of a hearing specialist. Your hearing specialist will have a more comprehensive understanding of the state of your hearing and its needs, if you do have hearing loss.
So, can hearing loss from chemo be reversed? Regrettably, sensorineural hearing loss is permanent, no matter the cause. But there are treatment options. Your hearing specialist will be capable of helping you treat and manage your hearing loss. You may require hearing aids or you may just need your hearing to be monitored.
It’s mostly frequencies in the higher range that go when your hearing loss is triggered by chemo. Your day-to-day hearing might not even really be impacted.
Caring for your hearing is important
It’s crucial to take care of your hearing health. Talk over any concerns you might have about how chemotherapy may impact your hearing with your care team. Your treatment might not be able to change but at least you’ll be better able to keep an eye on your symptoms and to get faster treatment.
Hearing loss can be induced by chemotherapy. But with the correct plan, and a little help from your hearing specialist, you’ll be able to find effective treatments that keep you hearing better longer.
