Coping with cancer is terrible. Patients have to go through a really hard time and some of the side effects of chemotherapy are frequently ignored. But it’s important to remember that, for a lot of cancer patients, there is life after your disease. And, obviously, you want a really full and happy life!
This means it’s essential to talk to your care team about reducing and managing side effects caused by your treatment. By discussing potential hearing loss, tinnitus, or balance issues that might develop from chemotherapy, for instance, you’ll be more ready for what comes next, and be in a better position to truly enjoy life after cancer.
Available cancer treatments
Cancer treatment has advanced significantly in the past couple of decades. There are even some vaccines that can prevent the development of some cancers in the first place! But, broadly speaking, there are still three basic ways that doctors will combat this serious disease: surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
There are unique drawbacks and strengths to each of these, and in some cases, they’re used in tandem. The best treatment course will be guided by your diagnosis, your prognosis, and your care team.
Do hearing and balance problems come with all cancer treatments? Well, every patient is different, but in general, these side effects are restricted to chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy – what is it?
Chemotherapy destroys cancer cells with a blend of strong chemicals. For a wide variety of cancers, chemotherapy is the main course of treatment because of its extremely successful track record. But because these chemicals are so strong, chemotherapy can lead to some unpleasant side effects. Those side effects can include:
- Mouth sores
- Loss of hearing
- Hair loss
- Vomiting
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Nausea
Every patient reacts to chemotherapy in their own way. The particular mix of chemicals also has a significant impact on the specific side effects. Some of these side effects are often pretty visible and well known (hair loss, for instance). But that isn’t necessarily the case with chemotherapy-caused hearing loss.
Does chemo cause hearing loss?
Hearing loss is not 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, which chemotherapy often comes with long-term hearing loss? Platinum-based chemical protocols (also called cisplatin-based chemotherapy) are more typically responsible for hearing loss side effects. These kinds of therapies are most often utilized to treat head, neck, and gynecological cancers, but they can be used on other cancers too.
Scientists believe that platinum-based chemotherapy chemicals attack and damage the little fragile stereocilia in the ears, but the exact cause-and-effect relationship is still not clear. Over time, this can trigger hearing loss, and that hearing loss is usually permanent.
Even if you’re battling cancer, you should still pay attention to hearing loss
Hearing loss might not seem like that much of a concern when you’re fighting cancer. But there are significant reasons why your hearing health is relevant, even while you’re battling cancer:
- Hearing loss, particularly neglected hearing loss, can negatively affect your mental health. Anxiety and depression are closely associated with untreated hearing loss. Fighting cancer can, similarly, increase anxiety and depression, so you don’t want to make matters worse.
- Tinnitus and balance issues can also be the result of chemo-related hearing loss. So, now you’re thinking: wait, does chemotherapy cause tinnitus too? Well, unfortunately, the answer is yes. Tinnitus is often associated with balance issues which can also be an issue. You don’t want to fall when you’re recuperating from your chemotherapy treatment!
- Hearing loss has been known to cause social isolation. Lots of different conditions can be aggravated by this. If you’re feeling isolated socially, it can become challenging to do daily activities, especially getting appropriate treatment.
You’ll want to speak with your care team about minimizing other health issues while you’re fighting cancer.
What’s the solution?
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 exam.
Here are several things that seeing a hearing specialist will help with:
- Establish a baseline for your hearing. This will make it considerably easier to recognize hearing loss in the future.
- It will be easier to receive fast treatment when you experience the signs or symptoms of hearing loss.
- Begin a relationship with a hearing professional. Your hearing specialist will have a more comprehensive understanding of the state of your hearing and its needs, if you do have hearing loss.
So if you develop hearing loss from chemo, can it be reversed? Sadly, sensorineural hearing loss is irreversible, regardless of the cause. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a treatment. Your hearing specialist will be capable of helping you address and manage your hearing loss. This could mean simple monitoring or it might include a set of hearing aids.
It should be mentioned, too, that most 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.
Caring for your hearing is important
It’s crucial to pay attention to your hearing health. Talk over any worries you might have about how chemotherapy might affect your hearing with your care team. Your treatment might not be able to be altered but at least you’ll be better able to keep an eye on your symptoms and to get more rapid treatment.
Hearing loss can be caused by chemotherapy. But if you talk to your hearing specialist, they will help you formulate a plan that will help you get in front of the symptoms.