Cancer treatment and hearing loss

If chemotherapy is the way forward for you, it’s important to know that these powerful chemicals that are capable of killing cancer cells may also put you at risk of hearing loss or tinnitus.

When you’re diagnosed with cancer, it’s a natural response to accept whatever treatment option your oncologist suggests. However, it’s important to understand exactly what the side effects may be of your recommended treatment, so you can make an informed decision.

For example, therapies like cisplatin, vincristine, doxorubicin, gemcitabine, cyclophosphamide and oxaliplatin all have elevated risks of hearing loss. It may be possible to switch to a different treatment if you’re finding your hearing is being impacted, but, again, your consultant will be able to advise. Radiotherapy, particularly targeting cancers of the head and neck, can also cause temporary or permanent hearing loss. Make sure you organise regular checks with an audiologist so they can monitor your hearing and catch any issues quickly. 

Research is currently underway to find drugs that can protect hearing when given at the same time as chemotherapy. For example, in February this year, German company, Acousia Therapeutics, enrolled the first patient in a phase 2 clinical trial for its investigational otoprotective drug candidate, ACOU085, which is targeting cisplatin-induced hearing loss in testicular cancer patients. 

One of the main challenges with otoprotective drugs is to understand the best way to give these medications while still enabling the chemotherapy to be effective.

Please talk to The Hearing Clinic if you think your hearing may have been affected by cancer treatment. We can test your hearing, and if a hearing loss is detected, we’ll make a plan with you to help you on the way back to healthy hearing.

Here to help

If you have any questions, or if you’re concerned about your or a family member’s hearing, we’re here to help. Please call our friendly team or email us to find out more.