Publication:

A study of cisplatin chemotherapy and hearing loss

Background Various medications have been associated with ototoxicity. Platinum containing chemotherapeutic agents are associated with cochleotoxicity, characterized by high frequency hearing loss. Cisplatin and related agents are absorbed by the cochlear hair cells, resulting in ototoxicity through the production of reactive oxygen species.

Methods About 67 patients, irrespective of the type of cancer, fit to undergo chemotherapy were considered for study after meticulous examination. Audiograms were taken prior to chemotherapy, at the end of each cycle of chemotherapy, and follow-up audiograms at 3 months and 6 months after completion of chemotherapy.

Results Among 37% of the patients with normal hearing, 10% of the patients developed sensorineural hearing loss after treatment. Among 63% of the patients with prior mild sensorineural hearing loss, 11.8% developed worsening of hearing after completion of treatment.

Conclusions Audiologic monitoring is important in patients undergoing cisplatin chemotherapy and post- chemotherapy auditory monitoring is essential to rehabilitate the patients with Sensorineural hearing loss.