There’s nothing that’s good about cancer. Patients have to go through a really difficult time and some of the side effects of chemotherapy are frequently dismissed. But for a large number of cancer survivors, there will be a life after cancer and that’s an essential thing to keep in mind. And, of course, you want a really full and happy life!
This means it’s essential to talk to your care team about minimizing and dealing with side effects caused by your treatment. You’ll be able to enjoy life after cancer more fully, for example, if you discuss potential balance and hearing problems that could arise post chemotherapy, with your care team.
Cancer treatment options
Cancer treatment has progressed considerably in the past couple of decades. There are even some vaccines that can stop 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 determine the best course of treatment.
Do all cancer treatments cause hearing and balance problems? Normally, these side effects only accompany chemotherapy, but each patient is different.
What is chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy kills cancer cells with a combination of strong chemicals. Because of its highly successful track record, chemotherapy is frequently the main treatment choice for a wide variety of cancers. But because these chemicals are so powerful, chemotherapy can cause some uncomfortable side effects. Those side effects can include:
- Mouth sores
- Hearing loss
- Hair loss
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Vomiting
- Nausea
Every patient reacts to chemotherapy in their own way. The particular mix of chemicals also has a substantial effect on the specific side effects. Most people are pretty well aware of some of these symptoms, like hair loss for instance. But that’s not necessarily the case with chemotherapy-caused hearing loss.
Does chemo produce hearing loss?
Hearing loss isn’t the most well known chemotherapy side effect. But hearing loss can be an actual 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 result in hearing loss? Generally speaking, hearing loss tends to be most prevalent with platinum-based chemical protocols (known as cisplatin-based chemotherapy). These types of therapies are most often utilized to treat head, neck, and gynecological cancers, but they can be used for other cancers also.
Scientists aren’t really certain how the cause and effect works, but the basic thought is that platinum-based chemotherapy chemicals are especially skilled at causing harm to the fragile hairs in your ear. Over time, this can trigger hearing loss, and that hearing loss is often permanent.
Even if you’re fighting cancer, you still need to pay attention to hearing loss
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 while you’re battling cancer:
- Social isolation is frequently the result of hearing loss. This can exacerbate many different conditions. If you’re feeling isolated socially, it can become laborious to do everyday activities, especially getting appropriate treatment.
- Hearing loss, particularly neglected hearing loss, can negatively affect your mental health. Anxiety and depression are closely associated with neglected hearing loss. Somebody who is fighting cancer already has a heavy weight on their shoulders and the last thing they need is extra anxiety and depression.
- Tinnitus and balance problems can also be the result of chemo-related hearing loss. So can tinnitus also be caused by chemotherapy? Well, regrettably, the answer is yes. This tinnitus and loss of balance can be a problem, too. When you’re recouping from chemotherapy, the last thing you need is to take a fall.
You’ll want to talk to your care team about minimizing other health issues while you’re fighting cancer.
What’s the solution?
When you’re fighting cancer, your life becomes never-ending doctor’s appointments. But it’s worthwhile to add one more appointment to your list: make an appointment with a hearing specialist.
Seeing a hearing specialist will help you do a number of things:
- Begin a relationship with 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.
- It will be easier to obtain prompt treatment when you experience the signs or symptoms of hearing loss.
- Set a hearing baseline. Then, if you experience hearing loss in the future, it will be easier to recognize.
So if you experience hearing loss from chemo, can it be cured? Regrettably, sensorineural hearing loss is irreversible, no matter the cause. But there are treatment solutions. Your hearing specialist will be able to help you treat and manage your hearing loss. This may mean basic monitoring or it might include a set of hearing aids.
It should be noted, too, that the majority of chemotherapy-caused hearing loss normally impacts the higher-range of hearing frequencies. It may not necessarily have any effect on your day-to-day hearing.
Your hearing health is important
It’s essential to take care of your hearing health. Discuss any worries you may have about how chemotherapy may affect your hearing with 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 appropriately.
Hearing loss can be caused by chemotherapy. But if you consult your hearing specialist, they will help you develop a plan that will help you get in front of the symptoms.
