There’s nothing that’s good about cancer. Patients have to go through a very tough time and some of the side effects of chemotherapy are frequently ignored. But for a large number of cancer survivors, there will be a life after cancer and that’s an important thing to keep in mind. And you want that life to be as meaningful and prosperous as possible.
This means it’s important to speak with your care team about decreasing and dealing with side effects caused by your treatment. You’ll be able to enjoy life after cancer more fully, for example, if you talk about possible balance and hearing problems that could arise post chemotherapy, with your care team.
Available cancer treatments
Cancer treatment has advanced significantly in the past 20 years. There are even some vaccines that can stop the development of certain cancers in the first place! But generally, 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. Your care team will use your diagnosis and prognosis to determine the best course of treatment.
Do hearing and balance problems come with all cancer treatments? Well, every patient is different, but in general, these side effects are limited to chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy – what is it?
Chemotherapy is a mixture of treatments that utilize strong chemicals to kill cancer cells. For a wide array 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 create some unpleasant side effects. Here are a few of these side effects:
- Sores in the mouth
- Vomiting
- Hair loss
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Nausea
- Loss of hearing
Every patient responds to chemotherapy in their own way. The particular mix of chemicals also has a considerable effect on the specific side effects. 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 related hearing loss.
Does chemo produce hearing loss?
Hearing loss is not the most prominent chemotherapy side effect. But the truth is that chemotherapy can and does bring about hearing loss. Is hearing loss from chemo permanent? In many cases, yes.
So, which chemotherapy frequently comes with long-term hearing loss? In general, hearing loss tends to be most prevalent with platinum-based chemical protocols (called cisplatin-based chemotherapy). This type of therapy can be used on various forms of cancers but is most frequently used to treat head, neck, and gynecological cancers.
Scientists aren’t exactly certain how the cause and effect works, but the basic thought is that platinum-based chemotherapy chemicals are particularly proficient at causing harm to the fragile hairs in your ear. This can trigger hearing loss that is often irreversible.
Hearing loss is something you want to keep your eye on, even when you’re battling cancer
When you’re fighting cancer, hearing loss may not feel like your biggest concern. But there are considerable reasons why your hearing health is important, even while you’re battling cancer:
- Tinnitus and balance issues can also be the result of chemo-induced hearing loss. So can tinnitus also be triggered by chemotherapy? Well, regrettably, the answer is yes. This tinnitus and loss of balance can be an issue, too. When you’re recouping from chemotherapy, the last thing you need is to take a fall.
- Social isolation is frequently the outcome of hearing loss. This can exacerbate lots of different conditions. If you’re feeling isolated socially, it can become challenging to do daily activities, especially getting appropriate treatment.
- Hearing loss, particularly neglected hearing loss, can negatively affect your mental health. Anxiety and depression are closely connected to untreated hearing loss. Somebody who is battling cancer already has a heavy weight on their shoulders and the last thing they need is extra anxiety and depression.
You’ll want to talk to your care team about reducing other health issues while you’re fighting cancer.
So what should you do?
You’re at the doctor’s a lot when you’re fighting cancer. But it’s important to add one more appointment to your list: make an appointment with a hearing specialist.
Here are a number of things that visiting a hearing specialist will help with:
- If you do detect hearing loss, it will be easier to get fast treatment.
- Set a baseline for your hearing. Then, if you develop hearing loss in the future, it will be easier to recognize.
- Become a patient of a hearing specialist. If you experience hearing loss, your hearing specialist will have a more comprehensive understanding of your needs, your health history, and what your hearing treatment should be.
So, can hearing loss as a result of chemo be reversed? Regardless of the cause, sensorineural hearing loss has no cure, unfortunately. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a treatment. Your hearing loss can be treated and managed with the help of your hearing specialist. You may need hearing aids or you may just need your hearing to be monitored.
It should be mentioned, too, that most chemotherapy-caused hearing loss usually impacts the higher-range of hearing frequencies. It might not even have any effect on your day-to-day hearing.
Caring for your hearing is important
It’s essential to take care of your hearing health. If you’re worried about how chemotherapy may impact your hearing, consult your care team. Your treatment might not be able to change but at least you’ll be better able to track your symptoms and to get faster treatment.
Chemotherapy can trigger hearing loss. But with the correct plan, and a little assistance from your hearing specialist, you’ll be able to find effective treatments that keep you hearing better longer.