Coping with cancer is awful. Patients have to go through a really hard time and some of the side effects of chemotherapy are frequently disregarded. But for a great number of cancer survivors, there is a life after cancer and that’s an important thing to remember. 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 reducing and dealing with side effects caused by your treatment. You’ll be able to enjoy life after cancer more completely, for example, if you discuss potential balance and hearing problems that could develop after chemotherapy, with your care team.
Available cancer treatments
Cancer treatment has advanced significantly in the past couple of decades. There are even some vaccines that can stop the development of some 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.
There are unique drawbacks and strengths to each of these, and sometimes, they’re used together. The best treatment course will be determined by your diagnosis, your prognosis, and your care team.
Do all cancer treatments lead to hearing and balance problems? Well, every patient is different, but in general, these side effects are limited to chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy – what is it?
Chemotherapy kills cancer cells with a blend of strong chemicals. Because of its very successful track record, chemotherapy is frequently the primary treatment option for a wide variety of cancers. But because these chemicals are so powerful, chemotherapy can lead to some uncomfortable side effects. Here are a few of these side effects:
- Loss of hearing
- Nausea
- Mouth sores
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Vomiting
- Hair loss (including your nose hairs)
Every patient responds to chemotherapy in their own way. Side effects might also change based on the specific mix of chemicals used. Most individuals are fairly well aware of some of these symptoms, like hair loss for example. But not so many individuals are aware of chemotherapy induced hearing loss.
Does chemo bring about hearing loss?
Loss of hearing is not one of the better known side effects of chemotherapy. But the reality is that chemotherapy can and does bring about hearing loss. Is hearing loss from chemo permanent? In many instances, 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 commonly utilized to treat head, neck, and gynecological cancers, but they can be used for other cancers as well.
Scientists aren’t really certain how the cause and effect works, but the basic thought is that platinum-based chemotherapy chemicals are particularly 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 battling cancer, you still need to pay attention to hearing loss
Hearing loss may not seem like that much of a worry when you’re fighting cancer. But even when you’re dealing with cancer, there are considerable reasons why your hearing health is important:
- Hearing loss, especially neglected hearing loss, can negatively impact your mental health. Untreated hearing loss is closely related to 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.
- Social isolation is often the result of hearing loss. Lots of different conditions can be exacerbated by this. If you’re feeling isolated socially, it can become laborious to do everyday activities, especially getting appropriate treatment.
- Chemotherapy-caused hearing loss can also result in balance issues and tinnitus. So can tinnitus also be caused by chemotherapy? Well, unfortunately, the answer is yes. This tinnitus and loss of balance can be an issue, too. You don’t want to fall down when you’re recovering from your chemotherapy treatment!
Minimizing other health concerns while you’re fighting cancer will likely be a priority, and something you’ll want to talk to your care team about.
What’s the solution?
When you’re battling 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.
Here are several things that visiting a hearing specialist will help with:
- Set a hearing baseline. Then, if you develop hearing loss in the future, it will be easier to identify.
- Begin a relationship with a hearing specialist. Your hearing specialist will have a more comprehensive knowledge of the state of your hearing and its needs, if you do have hearing loss.
- It will be easier to get prompt treatment when you experience the signs or symptoms of hearing loss.
So, can hearing loss from chemo be reversed? Regrettably, sensorineural hearing loss is permanent, no matter the cause. But there are treatment solutions. Your hearing specialist will be able to help you treat and manage your hearing loss. You might require hearing aids or you might simply need your hearing to be monitored.
It’s mostly frequencies in the higher register that go when your hearing loss is due to chemo. It might not necessarily have any impact on your day-to-day hearing.
Your hearing health is important
Taking good care of your hearing is essential. If you’re worried about how chemotherapy might impact your hearing, consult your care team. You may not be able to change treatment options, but at least you’ll be able to closely track your symptoms and treat them appropriately.
Chemotherapy can cause hearing loss. But if you consult your hearing specialist, they will help you develop a plan that will help you get in front of the symptoms.