{"id":1634,"date":"2024-07-19T13:59:03","date_gmt":"2024-07-19T17:59:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kampsenhearing.com\/?p=1634"},"modified":"2024-07-19T13:59:05","modified_gmt":"2024-07-19T17:59:05","slug":"how-are-cancer-treatments-and-hearing-loss-connected","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kampsenhearing.com\/how-are-cancer-treatments-and-hearing-loss-connected\/","title":{"rendered":"How Are Cancer Treatments and Hearing Loss Connected?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Treating cancer is an impossibly difficult time for patients. While therapies like chemotherapy have been effective at managing cancer and saving lives, they often come with difficult side effects\u2014including hearing loss. Let\u2019s take a look at the connection between chemotherapy and hearing loss and how hearing aids can help.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Does Chemotherapy Cause Hearing Loss?<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Medications that damage the auditory system, leading to hearing loss, tinnitus<\/a> and balance issues, are known as ototoxic. There are more than 200 identified ototoxic medications on the market today<\/a>. While it may seem obvious to simply avoid ototoxic medications, they are often used to treat serious infections, heart disease and cancer. The most common chemotherapy drugs linked to hearing loss are platinum-based drugs like cisplatin and carboplatin. In cases where there are no alternative options, the benefits of ototoxic medications often outweigh the negatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does Hearing Loss Always Happen With Chemotherapy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Starting chemotherapy does not guarantee that you will develop hearing loss. It is essential to discuss the risks of your specific treatment plan. While you may not be able to prevent hearing damage, knowing the risks can help you prepare and recognize the signs early on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are the Symptoms of Ototoxicity?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hearing loss doesn\u2019t always start immediately upon taking ototoxic medications. In some cases, symptoms don\u2019t appear until up to five years later<\/a>. A few symptoms you may notice include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n