Cancer Treatment
& Hearing Health
Cancer and Hearing Loss: What’s the Connection?
The link between cancer and hearing loss has been suspected and observed for many years, which explains why it is a growing area of medical research and clinical concern. Hearing loss in cancer patients can be caused by the disease itself, cancer treatment (especially heavy metal medications), or other related factors.
Key Facts About Cancer and Treatment Methods That Can Cause Hearing Loss
Chemotherapy: Drugs like cisplatin and carboplatin, commonly used to treat cancers, are known to cause ototoxicity (ear toxicity). This can lead to hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance issues. Cisplatin is associated with permanent damage to the hair cells in the inner ear (cochlea), especially affecting high-frequency hearing.
Radiation Therapy: Radiation to the head or neck can damage the auditory nerves, inner ear (cochlea), or surrounding tissues, causing hearing loss over time.
SurgicalImpact: Surgeries near the ear (e.g., removing tumors in the head or neck) can physically damage the auditory nerve or the structures responsible for hearing.
Cancer Itself: Certain cancers, like acoustic neuromas or other brain tumors, directly affect the auditory system, leading to hearing loss. Leukemia or metastasized cancers can indirectly cause hearing problems due to inflammation or obstruction in the auditory pathways.
Medications for Symptom Management: Medications like high-dose antibiotics (e.g., aminoglycosides), painkillers, or heavy metal drugs used in cancer treatment can also be ototoxic and cause permanent hearing loss and/or tinnitus.
Research Behind the Cancer-Hearing Loss Connection
Studies suggest that hearing loss is prevalent in cancer patients, with 50-60% of patients treated with cisplatin experiencing some degree of hearing loss.
Children with Cancer: Childhood cancer survivors treated with ototoxic chemotherapy have a higher risk of developing hearing loss. Some studies have reported rates as high as 75%.
How to Protect Your Hearing Health
Understanding the link between cancer and hearing loss emphasizes the need for proactive monitoring and management strategies to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. Have your hearing evaluated routinely by our Mesa or Scottsdale audiologists, especially if you have or have had cancer or cancer treatment. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for a comprehensive hearing evaluation.
Resources for Cancer Patients, Cancer Survivors, and Family Members
There are numerous community resources for people diagnosed with cancer, cancer survivors, and family members of people with cancer:
- American Cancer Society (ACS): cancer.org
- Cancer Support Community (CSC): cancersupportcommunity.org
- National Cancer Institute (NCI): cancer.gov
- Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS): lls.org
- Gilda’s Club: gildasclub.org
- Imerman Angels: imermanangels.org
- CancerCare: cancercare.org
- MyLifeLine (by CSC): mylifeline.org
- The Mighty: themighty.com
- Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA): caregiver.org
- Well Spouse Association: wellspouse.org
- Meals on Wheels: mealsonwheelsamerica.org
- LIVESTRONG Foundation: livestrong.org
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