There’s nothing that’s good about cancer. Patients have to go through a really difficult time and some of the side effects of chemotherapy are frequently ignored. But for a great number of cancer survivors, there will be 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.
This means it’s important to talk to your care team about reducing and dealing with side effects caused by your treatment. By discussing possible hearing loss, tinnitus, or balance problems that might develop from chemotherapy, for instance, you’ll be better prepared for what comes next, and be in a better position to fully enjoy life after cancer.
Available cancer treatments
Cancer treatment has progressed considerably in the past 20 years. The development of some cancers can even be prevented with vaccines. But in general, doctors will use one or more of three different ways to combat this disease: radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery.
There are distinctive drawbacks and strengths to each of these, and sometimes, they’re used together. The best treatment course will be guided by your diagnosis, your prognosis, and your care team.
Do all cancer treatments cause hearing and balance problems? Usually, these side effects only accompany chemotherapy, but each patient is different.
Chemotherapy – what is it?
Chemotherapy kills cancer cells with a blend of strong chemicals. For a wide range of cancers, chemotherapy is the primary course of treatment because of its very successful track record. But because these chemicals are so strong, chemotherapy can produce some unpleasant side effects. Here are a few of these side effects:
- Vomiting
- Hearing loss
- Hair loss (including your nose hairs)
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Sores in the mouth
- Nausea
Side effects of chemotherapy often differ from person to person. Side effects may also vary based on the specific mix of chemicals used. Most people are pretty well aware of some of these symptoms, like hair loss for example. But not so many individuals are aware of chemotherapy related hearing loss.
Can hearing loss be brought about by chemotherapy?
Hearing loss isn’t the most prominent chemotherapy side effect. But hearing loss can be a real side effect of chemotherapy. Is chemo-induced hearing loss irreversible? The answer is frequently 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 numerous forms of cancers but is most often 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 especially skilled at causing harm to the delicate hairs in your ear. This can cause hearing loss that is often irreversible.
Even if you’re fighting cancer, you still need to pay attention to hearing loss
Hearing loss may not seem like that much of a concern when you’re combating cancer. But even when you’re dealing with cancer, there are substantial reasons why your hearing health is important:
- Chemotherapy-caused hearing loss can also result in balance issues and tinnitus. So can tinnitus also be triggered by chemotherapy? Regrettably, yes. This tinnitus and loss of balance can be an issue, too. You don’t want to fall down when you’re recovering from your chemotherapy treatment!
- Social isolation is frequently the outcome of hearing loss. Many different conditions can be aggravated by this. In other words, receiving the appropriate treatment (or even purchasing the right groceries) can become more difficult when you’re feeling socially separated.
- Hearing loss can negatively affect your mental health, particularly if that hearing loss is neglected. Anxiety and depression are closely linked to neglected hearing loss. Somebody who is battling cancer already has a heavy weight on their shoulders and the last thing they need is added anxiety and depression.
You’ll want to talk to your care team about reducing other health concerns while you’re fighting cancer.
So what should you do?
When you’re fighting cancer, your life becomes never-ending doctor’s appointments. But don’t allow that to stop you from setting up an appointment for a hearing exam.
Here are a number of things that seeing a hearing specialist will help with:
- It will be easier to get fast treatment when you experience the signs or symptoms of hearing loss.
- Establish a hearing baseline. This will make it significantly easier to recognize hearing loss in the future.
- Initiate a relationship with 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.
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 assistance of your hearing specialist. This may mean simple monitoring or it may include a set of hearing aids.
It should be mentioned, too, that the majority of chemotherapy-caused hearing loss often impacts the higher-range of hearing frequencies. It may not even have any impact on your day-to-day hearing.
Caring for your hearing is important
Paying attention to your hearing is essential. Discuss any worries you might have about how chemotherapy might affect your hearing with your care team. You may not be able to alter your treatment options, but at least you’ll be able to closely track your symptoms and treat them appropriately.
Chemotherapy can cause 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.
