Chemotherapy is a difficult treatment to undergo. While the treatment has significant benefits, the largest of which is its potential to be life-saving, it isn’t without its side effects. One lesser-known side effect of chemotherapy drugs is hearing damage.
How Chemotherapy Drugs Affect the Auditory System
Chemotherapy drugs fall under the banner of ototoxic medication—any medication that can damage the tissues and cells in the inner ear. A few signs of ototoxicity include:
- Tinnitus
- Hearing loss
- Difficulty balancing
- Dizziness or vertigo
The severity of these symptoms varies by the patient’s age, the medication you’re using, the dosage and duration of use and how you’re receiving it.
How Common is Ototoxicity?
Ototoxicity in chemotherapy drugs is a well-documented but often under-estimated phenomenon, with an incidence rate of more than 50%, affecting about 4 million people worldwide each year.[1]
The high rate of ototoxicity with certain chemotherapy drugs doesn’t mean you will automatically develop hearing or balance issues; it means that you should monitor your hearing closely during and after treatment.
The Importance of Regular Hearing Tests
The benefits of chemotherapy drugs outweigh the negatives. Because the treatment is so important, it’s not recommended to stop your chemotherapy, regardless of your symptoms. What you can do instead is schedule regular hearing tests to catch and treat auditory issues early.
Managing Ototoxicity Side Effects
Untreated hearing loss can make communication more challenging, increase your risk of social isolation and mental health disorders and decrease your background awareness and safety. Tinnitus, a ringing or buzzing in your ears, can also significantly affect your mood, sleep and concentration. Early intervention with hearing aids and sound masking or counseling for tinnitus will help limit the impact of auditory damage.
If you’re experiencing balance issues during chemotherapy, alert your provider or a balance specialist. They may recommend balance exercises to help you stay stable on your feet.
If you’re undergoing chemotherapy, call us at Massachusetts Hearing Group to schedule a hearing test with one of our specialists. We’ll help you manage your hearing health through your treatment and beyond.
[1] Kessler, L., Koo, C., Richter, C. P., & Tan, X. (2024). Hearing loss during chemotherapy: prevalence, mechanisms, and protection. American journal of cancer research, 14(9), 4597–4632. https://doi.org/10.62347/OKGQ4382