Study Shows Tinnitus and Hearing Loss are Common in Cancer Survivors

A study out of the University of California, San Francisco shows that tinnitus and hearing loss is frequent in adult survivors of the most common cancers. 

The study tested 273 cancer survivors who were 61 years old on average and had completed cancer treatment five years earlier. 

It was previously unknown how often survivors of the most common forms of the disease, like breast, gastrointestinal, lung, or gynecologic cancer, suffered serious hearing loss and tinnitus, making this study the first of its kind. 

Prior to this study, hearing loss was associated with the administration of platinum drugs, drugs used in chemotherapy, in adults with testicular and head and neck cancer. This study is the first to connect that association with survivors of the four most common kinds of cancer.

Another new finding from this study is that hearing loss and tinnitus do not just occur with platinum drugs, but with another kind of chemotherapy drug called taxanes. These two chemotherapy drugs are some of the most common treatments used for cancer, making these findings paramount for cancer survivors and clinicians alike.

The researchers tested the participants with an audiogram to determine the amount of hearing loss. They found that 50% of participants experienced significant hearing, and more than 35% reported tinnitus as well. It is also notable to mention that 31% of participants denied having hearing loss, and they were found to have a hearing impairment. 

Participants also reported that their hearing loss or impairment would interfere with day to day activities on moderate to severe levels. These activities include watching television and movies, listening to the radio, talking with family and friends, and listening in restaurants. Participants with tinnitus also reported that the condition interfered with their sleep, their mood, their enjoyment of life, and their ability to concentrate or relax.

Based on these findings, the researchers now recommend that clinicians conduct assessments before, during, and after chemotherapy treatment for breast, lunch, gastrointestinal and gynecologic cancers. They also recommend personalized management plans for those suffering with tinnitus with specialists, and for cancer clinicians to refer patients for a hearing test on a regular basis. 

The researchers also note that hearing problems need to be taken more seriously specifically for cancer survivors. Hearing problems are often underestimated or even go unrecognized since they can happen very gradually, but these findings show that cancer patients particularly need to monitor their hearing.  

While the hearing loss that comes from these drugs is permanent, patients can benefit from using a hearing aid. There are also treatments for tinnitus like sound therapy. Our app, SoundRelief is an app that alleviates tinnitus symptoms with 5 to 60 minute sound therapy sessions. The app also comes with a daily journal and a monthly tracker to monitor your tinnitus in the long run. 

A study has shown that survivors of the four most common types of cancer often suffer from hearing loss and tinnitus due to the chemotherapy treatments they received. Considering how underestimated hearing loss can be, this places a new importance on getting hearing tests, especially for cancer patients.