Understanding the Link Between Chemotherapy and Inner Ear Damage

Undergoing chemotherapy can be overwhelming, with a flood of information about medications, side effects and appointments to manage. Among the many challenges, one potential side effect that deserves attention is inner ear damage. Let’s break down this issue to help you better understand and manage the information you might encounter during your treatment journey.

The Role of Chemotherapy in Inner Ear Damage

Close up IV bag on blurred hospital background.

Some chemotherapy drugs are known to be ototoxic, meaning they can damage the inner ear. This damage may result in tinnitus (ringing in the ears), hearing loss and balance issues. Ototoxic medications are generally prescribed to treat severe or life-threatening conditions, such as cancer, certain infections and heart disease. Symptoms of ototoxicity usually develop gradually, sometimes not starting until years after you begin taking the medication, and worsen over time.

The Necessity of Ototoxic Medications

Despite the risk of audiology and balance-related side effects, ototoxic medications are often indispensable when no other alternatives are available. The potential life-saving benefits of these drugs usually outweigh the possible drawbacks.

Recognizing the Early Signs of Inner Ear Damage

Early detection of inner ear damage is crucial in preserving your quality of life. Here are some common indicators:

Hearing loss. Hearing loss isn’t always easy to spot, especially in mild cases. If you notice you or a loved one are frequently asking people to speak louder or slower, increasing the volume on your TV or radio or having trouble hearing amidst background noise, you should schedule a hearing test with an audiologist as soon as possible. While ototoxicity is often irreversible, hearing aids can help manage your condition.
Tinnitus. Tinnitus is the presence of a ringing or buzzing in the ears without an external source, and it affects approximately 50 million people in the United States. Although some cases of tinnitus are temporary, like those that pop up following a loud show at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion, others are long-lasting and can severely impact your quality of life. If you have persistent tinnitus, contact your audiologist as soon as possible.
Balance issues. Balance issues like feeling dizzy or lightheaded, difficulty walking in the dark, perceiving stationary objects as moving and trouble walking or moving up and down stairs are signs of possible ototoxicity. If your balance problems adversely affect your quality of life, make an appointment with one of our balance specialists.

You aren’t alone in dealing with your medication side effects. Contact Advanced ENT & Allergy today to discuss your symptoms and treatment options with one of our specialists.