Coping with cancer is terrible. Patients have to go through a really difficult time and some of the side effects of chemotherapy are often disregarded. But for a large number of cancer survivors, there is a life after cancer and that’s an important thing to keep in mind. And you want that life to be as full and prosperous as possible.
This means it’s important to speak with your care team about minimizing and managing side effects caused by your treatment. By talking about potential 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.
Available cancer treatments
Cancer treatment has advanced significantly in the past 20 years. There are even some vaccines that can prevent the development of certain cancers in the first place! But generally, doctors will utilize one or more of three different ways to combat this disease: radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery.
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 lead to hearing and balance issues? Well, each patient is different, but in general, these side effects are limited to chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy – what is it?
Chemotherapy is a mixture of treatments that use strong chemicals to destroy cancer cells. Because of its extremely successful track record, chemotherapy is often the leading treatment option for a wide array of cancers. But chemotherapy can create some very uncomfortable side effects because these chemicals are so strong. Here are several of these side effects:
- Nausea
- Mouth sores
- Hair loss
- Vomiting
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Hearing loss
Every patient reacts to chemotherapy in their own way. The particular mix of chemicals also has a significant impact on the specific side effects. Most individuals are fairly well aware of some of these symptoms, like hair loss for instance. But that’s not necessarily the case with chemotherapy-induced hearing loss.
Does chemo produce hearing loss?
Loss of hearing isn’t one of the more well known side effects of chemotherapy. But the reality is that chemotherapy can and does bring about hearing loss. Is chemo-induced hearing loss irreversible? The answer is often yes.
So is there a particular type of chemo that is more likely to result in hearing loss? Generally speaking, hearing loss tends to be most prevalent with platinum-based chemical protocols (called cisplatin-based chemotherapy). These types of therapies are most commonly utilized to treat head, neck, and gynecological cancers, but they can be used on other cancers also.
Scientists aren’t exactly sure how the cause and effect works, but the general sense is that platinum-based chemotherapy chemicals are especially adept at causing damage to the delicate hairs in your ear. This can trigger hearing loss that is frequently irreversible.
Even if you’re fighting cancer, you still need to pay attention to hearing loss
When you’re fighting cancer, hearing loss may not seem like your most pressing concern. But even when you’re coping with cancer, there are substantial reasons why the health of your hearing is relevant:
- Hearing loss has been known to result in social isolation. Many different conditions can be aggravated by this. In other words, obtaining the correct treatment (or even buying the right groceries) can become harder when you’re feeling socially separated.
- Hearing loss can negatively impact your mental health, especially if that hearing loss is neglected. Anxiety and depression are closely connected to untreated hearing loss. Fighting cancer can, similarly, increase anxiety and depression, so you don’t want to make matters worse.
- Chemotherapy-caused hearing loss can also result in balance problems and tinnitus. So, now you’re thinking: wait, does chemotherapy cause tinnitus too? Regrettably, yes. Tinnitus is frequently linked to balance issues which can also be an issue. When you’re recouping from chemotherapy, the last thing you need is to take a fall.
Minimizing 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?
You’re at the doctor’s constantly when you’re fighting cancer. But don’t let that stop you from scheduling an appointment for a hearing test.
Here are a number of things that visiting a hearing specialist will help with:
- Initiate a relationship with a hearing professional. Your hearing specialist will have a more in depth understanding of the state of your hearing and its needs, if you do have hearing loss.
- Establish a baseline for your hearing. Then, if you experience hearing loss in the future, it will be easier to identify.
- It will be easier to receive prompt treatment when you experience the signs or symptoms of hearing loss.
So if you experience hearing loss from chemo, can it be cured? Regardless of the cause, sensorineural hearing loss has no cure, unfortunately. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be treated. Your hearing loss can be treated and managed with the help of your hearing specialist. You might need hearing aids or you might simply need your hearing to be tracked.
It’s mostly frequencies in the higher register that go when your hearing loss is caused by chemo. It may not necessarily have any effect on your day-to-day hearing.
Caring for your hearing is important
Taking good care of your hearing is essential. If you have concerns about how chemotherapy may affect your hearing, consult your care team. Your treatment might not be able to be altered 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 develop a plan that will help you stay in front of the symptoms.
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