Cancer and Your Hearing

Some forms of chemotherapy, high levels of radiation therapy, and other drugs can cause a condition known as ototoxicity. This condition can cause the microscopic hair cells in your ears to break. These sensitive structures are small sensory cells that convert sound to electric signals that travel to your brain.

It’s important to talk to your doctor about the hearing risk factors associated with your treatment plan.

What you need to know about your hearing and cancer:

  • Just as some cancer treatments cause hair loss on your head and other areas of your body, they can also impact the microscopic hair cells in your ears.
  • Unlike the hair on your head, once the hair cells in your ears have been damaged, they cannot grow back.

These conditions can lead to hearing loss, ringing in the ear and dizziness Take these steps today to help ensure your hearing health:

  1. Talk to your physician about a baseline and post – treatment hearing screening; don’t wait until you experience a change or difficulty in your hearing
  2. Schedule a hearing evaluation each time you schedule your regular vision screening