Dealing with cancer is horrible. Patients have to go through a very tough time and some of the side effects of chemotherapy are frequently dismissed. But it’s essential to remember that, for a great many cancer patients, there will be life after your disease. And you want that life to be as meaningful and prosperous as possible.
Speaking with your healthcare team about managing and minimizing side effects is so significant because of this. By talking about potential hearing loss, tinnitus, or balance problems that may arise from chemotherapy, for instance, you’ll be better prepared for what comes next, and be in a better position to completely enjoy life after cancer.
Cancer treatment options
In the past 20 years, substantial developments in cancer treatment have been accomplished. There are even some vaccines that can prevent the development of certain cancers in the first place! But in general, doctors will use one or more of three different ways to combat this disease: radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery.
Each treatment method has its own distinctive strengths and drawbacks, and none of them are mutually exclusive. The best treatment course will be guided by your diagnosis, your prognosis, and your care team.
Do hearing and balance issues come with all cancer treatments? Well, each patient is different, but in general, these side effects are restricted to chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy – what is it?
Chemotherapy is a mixture of treatments that utilize strong chemicals to kill cancer cells. For a wide variety of cancers, chemotherapy is the main course of treatment because of its extremely successful track record. But because these chemicals are so powerful, chemotherapy can lead to some uncomfortable side effects. Those side effects can include:
- Nausea
- Loss of hearing
- Vomiting
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Hair loss
- Sores in the mouth
Side effects of chemotherapy have a tendency to vary from person to person. Side effects may also change based on the specific 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-caused hearing loss.
Does chemo cause hearing loss?
Hearing loss is not the most well known chemotherapy side effect. But hearing loss can be an actual side effect of chemotherapy. Is chemo-induced hearing loss irreversible? In many cases, yes.
So is there a particular 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. These kinds of therapies are most often utilized to treat head, neck, and gynecological cancers, but they can be used on other cancers also.
Scientists think that platinum-based chemotherapy chemicals attack and damage the little delicate 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 pay attention to, even when you’re battling cancer
Hearing loss might not seem like that much of a concern when you’re battling cancer. But there are considerable reasons why your hearing health is relevant, even in the midst of battling cancer:
- Hearing loss has been known to lead to social isolation. This can exacerbate lots of different conditions. In other words, obtaining the correct treatment (or even purchasing the right groceries) can become harder when you are feeling socially isolated.
- Chemotherapy-caused hearing loss can also lead to balance issues and tinnitus. So, now you’re thinking: hold on, does chemotherapy lead to tinnitus too? Sadly, yes. Tinnitus is frequently associated with balance problems which can also be an issue. You don’t want to fall down when you’re recovering from your chemotherapy treatment!
- Hearing loss, especially neglected hearing loss, can negatively impact your mental health. Neglected hearing loss is closely related to increases in depression and anxiety. Fighting cancer can, similarly, increase anxiety and depression, so you don’t want to make matters worse.
You’ll want to talk to your care team about minimizing other health concerns while you’re fighting cancer.
So what should you do?
When you’re battling cancer, your life becomes a laundry list of doctor’s appointments. But don’t let that stop you from setting up an appointment for a hearing test.
Visiting a hearing specialist will help you do several things:
- It will be easier to get 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 detailed understanding of the state of your hearing and its needs, if you do have hearing loss.
- Set a hearing baseline. This will make it significantly easier to recognize hearing loss in the future.
So, can hearing loss as a result of chemo be reversed? Regrettably, sensorineural hearing loss is permanent, no matter the cause. But there are treatment options. Your hearing loss can be treated and managed with the assistance of your hearing specialist. This could mean simple monitoring or it might include a pair of hearing aids.
It’s mostly frequencies in the higher register that go when your hearing loss is caused by chemo. It might not necessarily have any effect on your day-to-day hearing.
Caring for your hearing is important
Taking good care of your hearing is crucial. Talk over any worries you might have about how chemotherapy could affect your hearing with your care team. Your treatment may not be able to be altered but at least you’ll be better able to keep an eye on your symptoms and to get faster treatment.
Chemotherapy can cause hearing loss. But if you talk to your hearing specialist, they will help you develop a plan that will help you stay in front of the symptoms.
