I had no idea chemotherapy drugs can cause hearing loss until my audiologist contacted me with information that I might qualify for Cochlear Implants. That was January 2015, and I told her I had just started chemotherapy for breast cancer with no knowledge of hearing loss and cancer.
It was then that she told me that some chemotherapies could affect hearing. She added that, in general, the ears are much more sensitive and vulnerable during chemotherapy, so to be mindful of loud noises during the treatment period.
After my second chemo injection, I did experience ototoxicity. This condition occurs from certain chemicals which damage the hearing organs. The results are temporary or permanent hearing loss or loss of balance. The result for me was further muting of my already muffled hearing. However, THANKFULLY, it was temporary.
Chemotherapies
The most common chemotherapy drugs that will cause ototoxicity are
Both drugs treat a variety of different cancers. I did not receive either of these particular chemotherapy drugs during my treatment. However, suppose you or someone you know is taking these. In that case, have a conversation with the physicians or oncologist regarding their hearing effects. Suppose there is an incident of dizziness, tinnitus, or hearing loss during the course of chemotherapy treatment. In that case, it is best to ask for a referral to an audiologist.
The good news is that there is ongoing research to identify treatments that can prevent chemotherapy hearing loss. Most notably is Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and 37 other Children’s Oncology Group hospitals in the U.S. and Canada.
The Importance of Comprehension During Treatment
Lucky for me, I am retired, and I have a friend who is also retired. That friend accompanied me with every medical visit, no matter what the reason. Assessment, treatment, follow-up, PICC-line, radiation, and more, she was with me. This was SO important for many reasons:
Accents
I was referred to a most outstanding Oncologist by a friend who had breast cancer two years earlier. However, he was Asian and had a considerable accent. Often my friend had to be the interpreter of what he was advising or asking me.
State of Mind
During chemotherapy, there were times I was especially distressed or sick. Oncology nurses would come and talk to me during treatment, and I could not understand them in my ‘altered’ state. Again, my friend served as an interpreter for me so the hospital staff could better understand what I was going through. Furthermore, I could fully understand what they were advising me to do.
The PICC Line
My friend’s presence during the insertion of a PICC line was critical. A PICC line is a thin, soft, long catheter (tube) inserted into my left arm with the tip of the catheter positioned in a large vein that carries blood to the heart. The PICC line made the chemotherapy injections (drips) and numerous blood draws 99% less uncomfortable. The PICC line’s insertion required me to be slightly drugged, my eyes covered, and to lay very, very still. We apprised the nurses of my hearing loss. We asked that any critical information be conveyed to me before the procedure began. When underway, my friend relayed to me any questions or comments from the nurses. With eyes covered, I did not have the advantage of reading lips.
Communication by Phone
My friend was, and still is, my point-of-contact for any health-related phone calls that come from my health care providers. All in all, having my friend’s presence every step of the way to hear for me enabled me to be less stressed. I had enough to be stressed about without having to worry about hearing well.
My suggestion from my experience is that even if someone undergoing chemotherapy has perfect hearing, it is good to have a second pair of ears. Those second set of ears is essential in the case of hearing loss and cancer.
The Benefits of Hearing Loss During My Treatment
Yes, even during this dramatic health challenge, there were benefits to having a hearing loss. Besides the undying support of my friend and my husband when it came to the hearing, I often received exceptional care and attention from the oncology nurses. I could not hear well in the larger room where as many as 30 patients could be receiving therapy simultaneously. Often, I received the chemo drips in a private room. I appreciated that.
Hearing loss and cancer in conclusion:
While I would not want to go through the cancer experience again, I can honestly say I don’t wish I never had it. Why? Nothing puts things in perspective like a life-threatening disease. Upon diagnosis, the phrase “Don’t sweat the small stuff; and it’s all small stuff” became my mantra. As one chatter wisely noted, “There is no comparison between living and hearing.”
