There’s nothing that’s good about cancer. As a result, patients receiving cancer treatment will in some cases feel compelled to disregard cancer treatment side effects, like hearing loss, as insignificant. But for a large number of cancer survivors, there is a life after cancer and that’s a pretty important thing to keep in mind. And, obviously, you want a very full and happy life!
This means it’s crucial to talk to your care team about decreasing and dealing with side effects caused by your treatment. By discussing potential hearing loss, tinnitus, or balance issues that may arise from chemotherapy, for example, you’ll be better prepared for what comes next, and be in a better position to truly enjoy life after cancer.
Available cancer treatments
Cancer treatment has progressed significantly in the past 20 years. The development of certain cancers can even be avoided with vaccines. But generally, doctors will utilize one or more of three different ways to combat this disease: radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery.
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 all cancer treatments cause hearing and balance problems? Well, every patient is different, but generally, these side effects are restricted to chemotherapy.
What is chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is a mix of treatments that utilize strong chemicals to kill cancer cells. Because of its highly successful track record, chemotherapy is often the primary treatment choice for a wide array of cancers. But chemotherapy can create some really uncomfortable side effects because these chemicals are so strong. Here are several of these side effects:
- Mouth sores
- Loss of hearing
- Nausea
- Hair loss
- Vomiting
- Tiredness and fatigue
Side effects of chemotherapy have a tendency to differ from person to person. The particular combination of chemicals also has a considerable impact on the specific side effects. Most people are fairly well aware of some of these symptoms, like hair loss for example. But that isn’t necessarily the case with chemotherapy-caused 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 a real side effect of chemotherapy. Is hearing loss from chemo permanent? The answer is frequently yes.
So is there a particular type of chemo that is more likely to cause hearing loss? Platinum-based chemical protocols (also known as cisplatin-based chemotherapy) are more commonly responsible for hearing loss side effects. These kinds of therapies are most commonly used to treat head, neck, and gynecological cancers, but they can be used for other cancers also.
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 damage to the fragile hairs in your ear. Over time, this can cause 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
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 important:
- Hearing loss can negatively impact your mental health, especially if that hearing loss is untreated. Neglected hearing loss is closely associated with increases in depression and anxiety. Someone who is battling cancer already has a heavy weight on their shoulders and the last thing they need is added anxiety and depression.
- Hearing loss has been known to result in social isolation. 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’re feeling socially separated.
- Tinnitus and balance problems can also be the result of chemo-associated hearing loss. So can tinnitus also be caused by chemotherapy? Sadly, yes. This tinnitus and loss of balance can be an issue, too. When you’re recovering from chemotherapy, the last thing you need is to take a fall.
You’ll want to speak with your care team about reducing other health concerns while you’re fighting cancer.
So what should you do?
You’re at the doctor’s a lot when you’re fighting cancer. But don’t let that stop you from scheduling an appointment for a hearing exam.
Here are a number of things that seeing a hearing specialist will help with:
- Set a baseline for your hearing. This will make it significantly easier to detect hearing loss in the future.
- It will be easier to obtain prompt treatment when you notice the signs or symptoms of hearing loss.
- Become a patient of a hearing specialist. If you detect hearing loss, your hearing specialist will have a more comprehensive understanding of your needs, your health history, and what your hearing treatment can look like.
So, can hearing loss from chemo be reversed? No matter the cause, sensorineural hearing loss can’t be cured, regrettably. 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 require hearing aids or you may simply need your hearing to be tracked.
It’s mostly frequencies in the higher range that go when your hearing loss is due to chemo. It may not necessarily have any impact on your day-to-day hearing.
Caring for your hearing is important
It’s crucial to pay attention to your hearing health. If you have concerns about how chemotherapy might impact your hearing, talk to your care team. Your treatment may not be able to change but at least you’ll be better able to keep an eye on your symptoms and to get more rapid treatment.
Hearing loss can be induced by chemotherapy. But if you talk to your hearing specialist, they will help you make a plan that will help you get in front of the symptoms.
