Dealing with cancer is horrible. Patients have to go through a very hard time and some of the side effects of chemotherapy are often disregarded. But it’s essential to keep in mind that, for a great many cancer patients, there will be life after your disease. And you want that life to be as full and prosperous as possible.
Talking to your healthcare team about managing and reducing side effects is so significant because of this. By discussing potential hearing loss, tinnitus, or balance issues that may develop from chemotherapy, for example, you’ll be better prepared for what comes next, and be in a better position to completely enjoy life after cancer.
Cancer treatment options
Cancer treatment has advanced significantly in the past 20 years. The development of some 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 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 all cancer treatments cause hearing and balance issues? Well, each patient is different, but generally, these side effects are restricted to chemotherapy.
What is chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is a mix of treatments that use strong chemicals to kill cancer cells. For a wide variety of cancers, chemotherapy is the primary course of treatment because of its extremely successful track record. But because these chemicals are so powerful, chemotherapy can cause some unpleasant side effects. Here are a few of these side effects:
- Loss of hearing
- Nausea
- Mouth sores
- Vomiting
- Hair loss
- Fatigue and tiredness
Every patient reacts to chemotherapy in their own way. Side effects might also change according to the specific combination of chemicals used. Most people are pretty well aware of some of these symptoms, like hair loss for example. But that’s not always the case with chemotherapy-induced hearing loss.
Does chemo bring about hearing loss?
Hearing loss is not the most well recognized chemotherapy side effect. 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 particular type of chemo that is more likely to result in hearing loss? Platinum-based chemical protocols (also called cisplatin-based chemotherapy) are more commonly responsible for hearing loss side effects. This type of therapy can be used on numerous kinds of cancers but is most frequently used to treat head, neck, and gynecological cancers.
Scientists aren’t really 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 fighting cancer
When you’re battling cancer, hearing loss may not feel like your most pressing concern. But there are considerable reasons why your hearing health is relevant, even while you’re battling cancer:
- Hearing loss can negatively impact your mental health, especially if that hearing loss is untreated. 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.
- Chemotherapy-caused hearing loss can also result in balance problems and tinnitus. So, now you’re thinking: hold on, does chemotherapy lead to tinnitus too? Sadly, yes. This tinnitus and loss of balance can be an issue, too. You don’t want to fall down when you’re recuperating from your chemotherapy treatment!
- Social isolation is frequently the result of hearing loss. Lots of different conditions can be aggravated by this. In other words, getting the appropriate treatment (or even buying the right groceries) can become harder when you are feeling socially separated.
You’ll want to speak with your care team about reducing other health issues while you’re fighting cancer.
What’s the solution?
When you’re fighting cancer, your life becomes never-ending doctor’s appointments. But don’t allow that to stop you from scheduling an appointment for a hearing test.
Going to a hearing specialist will help you do several things:
- Become a patient of a hearing specialist. Your hearing specialist will have a more detailed knowledge of the state of your hearing and its needs, if you do have hearing loss.
- Establish a baseline for your hearing. Then, if you experience hearing loss in the future, it will be easier to recognize.
- If you do detect hearing loss, it will be easier to obtain fast treatment.
So if you experience hearing loss from chemo, can it be cured? Regrettably, sensorineural hearing loss is irreversible, regardless of the cause. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a treatment. Your hearing specialist will be able to help you address and manage your hearing loss. You may need hearing aids or you may just need your hearing to be tracked.
It should be noted, too, that most chemotherapy-caused hearing loss normally impacts the higher-range of hearing frequencies. Your day-to-day hearing might not even really be impacted.
Your hearing health is important
It’s crucial to pay attention to your hearing health. If you’re worried about how chemotherapy might impact 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 accordingly.
Hearing loss can be caused by chemotherapy. 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.