Hearing loss among cancer survivors

Abstract

Cancer therapies may cause hearing loss (HL) in some patients. The purpose of this study is to examine at risk factors for HL and its impact on the health of a large cohort of cancer survivors. This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study of long-term cancer survivors who reported that they have experienced HL as a result of their cancer. Of 3571 respondents who answered a mailed survey, 243 (6.8%) reported HL. We analyzed the responses to discern the potential impact of demographics, cancer type or disease treatments on hearing, as well as the potential impact of HL on socioeconomic parameters (education, family and work). Survivors of head and neck cancer, sarcoma and testicular cancer reported HL most frequently. Among the younger survivors, the frequency of HL was higher than age-matched persons from the general U.S. population. Cancer survivors with HL were more likely to report that cancer had affected their overall health (71 vs. 32%) and were unable to work. While cisplatinum exposure was noted more frequently in respondents with HL, no other treatments, including radiotherapy, were shown to have a significant impact on hearing. There were no differences with respect to age, gender or family dynamics. Hearing loss affects a minority of long-term cancer survivors and may have an impact on their education, ability to work and overall health.