Dealing with cancer is horrible. Patients have to go through a very hard time and some of the side effects of chemotherapy are frequently ignored. 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 meaningful and prosperous as possible.
Talking to your healthcare team about controlling and decreasing side effects is so important for this reason. You’ll be able to enjoy life after cancer more fully, for example, if you talk about potential balance and hearing problems that could occur post chemotherapy, with your care team.
Cancer treatment options
In the past 20 years, substantial advancements in cancer treatment have been made. There are even some vaccines that can prevent the development of certain cancers in the first place! But, generally speaking, there are still three typical ways that doctors will fight this serious disease: surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
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 hearing and balance problems come with all cancer treatments? Usually, these side effects only accompany chemotherapy, but each patient is different.
What is chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is a mixture of treatments that utilize strong chemicals to destroy cancer cells. Because of its very successful track record, chemotherapy is frequently the leading treatment option for a wide array of cancers. But because these chemicals are so powerful, chemotherapy can cause some uncomfortable side effects. Here are a few of these side effects:
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Mouth sores
- Vomiting
- Hair loss
- Loss of hearing
- Nausea
Side effects of chemotherapy often vary from person to person. Side effects might also vary according to the particular combination of chemicals used. Some of these side effects are often pretty visible and well known (hair loss, for instance). But that isn’t necessarily the case with chemotherapy-induced hearing loss.
Can hearing loss be caused by chemotherapy?
Hearing loss is not the most prominent chemotherapy side effect. But hearing loss can be an actual side effect of chemotherapy. Is hearing loss from chemo permanent? 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). This type of therapy can be used on various kinds of cancers but is most often used to treat head, neck, and gynecological cancers.
Scientists believe that platinum-based chemotherapy chemicals attack and damage the little fragile stereocilia in the ears, but the precise cause-and-effect relationship is still not clear. This can cause hearing loss that is often irreversible.
Hearing loss is something you want to keep your eye on, even when you’re battling cancer
When you’re battling cancer, hearing loss may not feel like your biggest concern. But even when you’re coping with cancer, there are significant reasons why the health of your hearing is important:
- Hearing loss, especially neglected hearing loss, can negatively affect your mental health. Untreated hearing loss is closely associated with 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 extra anxiety and depression.
- Hearing loss has been known to cause social isolation. Many different conditions can be aggravated by this. If you’re feeling isolated socially, it can become laborious to do everyday activities, especially getting appropriate treatment.
- Tinnitus and balance issues can also be the outcome of chemo-related hearing loss. So, now you’re thinking: wait, does chemotherapy lead to tinnitus too? Well, unfortunately, the answer is yes. Tinnitus is often linked to balance problems which can also be an issue. When you’re recovering from chemotherapy, the last thing you need is to have a fall.
You’ll want to talk to your care team about reducing other health concerns while you’re fighting cancer.
So what should you do?
You’re at the doctor’s constantly when you’re battling cancer. But it’s beneficial to add one more appointment to your list: make an appointment with a hearing specialist.
Here are a number of things that visiting a hearing specialist will help with:
- Set a baseline for your hearing. This will make it considerably easier to identify hearing loss in the future.
- If you do detect hearing loss, it will be easier to get fast treatment.
- Become a patient of a hearing specialist. 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? Regardless of the cause, sensorineural hearing loss can’t be cured, sadly. But there are treatment possibilities. Your hearing specialist will be capable of helping you treat and manage your hearing loss. This could mean simple monitoring or it might include a pair of hearing aids.
It should be mentioned, too, that most chemotherapy-caused hearing loss often impacts the higher-range of hearing frequencies. Your day-to-day hearing might not even really be effected.
Your hearing health is important
It’s critical to take care of your hearing health. If you have concerns about how chemotherapy may affect your hearing, talk to your care team. You might not be able to alter your treatment options, but at least you’ll be able to closely track your symptoms and treat them accordingly.
Chemotherapy can cause hearing loss. But if you consult your hearing specialist, they will help you develop a plan that will help you stay in front of the symptoms.