Coping with cancer is terrible. 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 essential thing to remember. And you want that life to be as full and prosperous as possible.
Speaking with your healthcare team about managing and reducing side effects is so significant for this reason. By discussing potential hearing loss, tinnitus, or balance issues that might develop from chemotherapy, for example, you’ll be better prepared for what happens next, and be in a better position to truly enjoy life after cancer.
Cancer treatment options
Cancer treatment has advanced significantly in the past couple of decades. The development of certain cancers can even be prevented with vaccines. But, generally speaking, there are still three basic ways that doctors will fight this serious disease: surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
There are distinctive drawbacks and strengths to each of these, and sometimes, they’re used in tandem. The best treatment course will be determined by your diagnosis, your prognosis, and your care team.
Do all cancer treatments cause hearing and balance problems? Well, each patient is different, but generally, these side effects are restricted to chemotherapy.
What is chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is a combination of treatments that utilize strong chemicals to kill cancer cells. For a wide array of cancers, chemotherapy is the primary course of treatment because of its very successful track record. But chemotherapy can produce some really uncomfortable side effects because these chemicals are so powerful. Here are several of these side effects:
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Nausea
- Loss of hearing
- Vomiting
- Sores in the mouth
- Hair loss (including your nose hairs)
Side effects of chemotherapy often differ from person to person. The particular combination of chemicals also has a significant impact on the specific side effects. Most people are fairly well aware of some of these symptoms, like hair loss for example. But that’s not always the case with chemotherapy-caused hearing loss.
Does chemo produce hearing loss?
Loss of hearing is not one of the more well known side effects of chemotherapy. But hearing loss can be an actual side effect of chemotherapy. Is hearing loss from chemo permanent? In many cases, yes.
So is there a specific 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. This type of therapy can be used on various kinds of cancers but is most frequently used to treat head, neck, and gynecological cancers.
Scientists aren’t exactly sure how the cause and effect works, but the basic thought is that platinum-based chemotherapy chemicals are particularly proficient at causing damage to the fragile hairs in your ear. This can cause hearing loss that is frequently irreversible.
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 worry when you’re battling cancer. But there are considerable reasons why your hearing health is important, even while you’re battling cancer:
- Tinnitus and balance problems can also be the result of chemo-related hearing loss. So, now you’re thinking: hold on, does chemotherapy lead to tinnitus too? Well, unfortunately, the answer is yes. Tinnitus is often connected with balance problems which can also be a problem. When you’re recouping from chemotherapy, the last thing you need is to have a fall.
- Hearing loss, particularly neglected hearing loss, can negatively affect your mental health. Untreated hearing loss is closely associated with increases in depression and anxiety. Battling cancer can, similarly, increase depression and anxiety, so you don’t want to add more fuel to that fire.
- Hearing loss has been known to cause social isolation. Many different conditions can be exacerbated by this. If you’re feeling isolated socially, it can become tedious to do everyday activities, especially getting appropriate treatment.
You’ll want to speak with 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 don’t allow that to stop you from scheduling an appointment for a hearing test.
Here are several things that seeing a hearing specialist will help with:
- Initiate a relationship with a hearing professional. Your hearing specialist will have a more detailed understanding of the state of your hearing and its needs, if you do have hearing loss.
- If you do detect hearing loss, it will be easier to get rapid treatment.
- Set a baseline for your hearing. Then, if you develop hearing loss in the future, it will be easier to identify.
So, can hearing loss from chemo be reversed? Unfortunately, sensorineural hearing loss is permanent, regardless of the cause. But there are treatment possibilities. Your hearing loss can be treated and managed with the assistance of your hearing specialist. You might need hearing aids or you might just need your hearing to be monitored.
It should be mentioned, too, that most chemotherapy-caused hearing loss often affects the higher-range of hearing frequencies. It may not even have any effect on your day-to-day hearing.
Your hearing health is important
Taking good care of your hearing is crucial. If you have concerns about how chemotherapy may affect your hearing, consult your care team. You may not be able to alter your treatment options, but at least you’ll be able to closely monitor your symptoms and treat them appropriately.
Hearing loss can be caused by chemotherapy. But with the right plan, and a little help from your hearing specialist, you’ll be able to find effective treatments that keep you hearing better longer.