Some chemotherapy drugs, other medications or radiation used to treat children’s cancer can damage hearing. Hearing loss can interfere with daily living. People who received the treatments listed below should have their hearing checked and obtain treatment if hearing loss is found.
Cancer Therapies that Increase the Risk of Hearing Loss
- Chemotherapy from the “platinum” group, such as cisplatin and carboplatin
- Antibiotics from the “aminoglycoside” group, such as gentamicin or tobramycin
- Diuretics from the “loop” classification, such as furosemide (Lasix) or ethacrynic acid (Edecrin)
- Radiation to the head, especially when the beam is directed at the brainstem or ear
- Surgery involving the brain, ear, or auditory (eighth cranial) nerve
How the Ears Work
It is easier to understand hearing loss if you understand how the ears work. The ear is made up of three main parts, known as the outer, middle, and inner ear.
Outer Ear: Sound waves travel through the air and first enter the body through the outer ear. The part of the ear that can be seen outside the body is called the pinna. The pinna collects and funnels sound into the auditory (ear) canal. The auditory canal is like a tunnel. It makes the sound louder and directs it toward the middle ear.
Middle Ear: The eardrum separates the outer ear from the middle ear, a chamber that is normally filled with air. Inside the middle ear are three tiny bones (ossicles) that form a chain connecting the eardrum to the opening of the inner ear. Sound waves cause the eardrum to vibrate. These vibrations cause the three tiny bones in the middle ear to move, transmitting the sound to the inner ear.
Inner Ear: The inner ear is known as the cochlea, and it is filled with fluid. The cochlea contains thousands of tiny nerve endings, known as sensory hair cells. Sounds travel in waves through the fluid of the inner ear. The sensory hair cells change the sound waves into nerve impulses that are sent to the brain by way of the auditory nerve (also known as the eighth cranial nerve). In the cochlea, the sensory hair cells are arranged in order of pitch, from low-pitched sounds (such as a man’s voice) to very high-pitched sounds (such as a bird chirping). Each hair cell is sensitive to a specific range of pitches.
Types of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss that occurs in the outer or middle ear is called a conductive hearing loss. This means that the hearing loss is due to a problem in transmission of sound from the air to the inner ear. An example of this would be changes in hearing because of fluid collection in the middle ear. Sometimes this happens when people have ear infections. The fluid “muffles” the sound when it is traveling through the middle ear.
Hearing loss that results from damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve is called sensorineural hearing loss. An example of this would be damage to the sensory hair cells in the inner ear from chemotherapy. Even though sound waves still move through the inner ear fluid, they can no longer be changed into nerve impulses, so the sound does not reach the brain. Sensory hair cells that process high-pitched sounds are usually damaged first, followed by damage to the sensory hair cells that process lower pitched sounds.
Hearing loss with both conductive and sensorineural components is called mixed hearing loss. Conductive hearing loss may improve over time, but sensorineural hearing loss is usually permanent.
Survivors at highest risk for hearing loss are those who:
- Had other risk factors for hearing loss before the diagnosis of cancer, such as prior treatment with aminoglycoside antibiotics, low birth weight, or meningitis
- Were younger than 4 years of age at the time that they received treatments that can cause damage to the ear
- Received cisplatin in a total (cumulative) dose of 360 mg/m2 or higher. (Information about the dose of carboplatin that places survivors at highest risk for hearing loss is not definitive; however, carboplatin doses of about 2000 mg/m2 have been associated with significant hearing loss).
- Received radiation to the ear, brain, nose, sinuses, throat, or mid-facial area behind the cheekbones, especially at doses of 30 Gy (3000 cGy/rads) or higher
- Had a tumor, surgery, or severe infection that involved the brain, ear, or auditory nerve, or required placement of a shunt
- Received more than one type of treatment that can cause hearing loss (such as the combination of brain radiation and cisplatin chemotherapy, or treatment with both cisplatin and carboplatin chemotherapy)
- Had poor kidney function at the time that they received chemotherapy or other medications that can damage hearing
Radiation to the ear or brain can cause inflammation or ear wax buildup in the outer ear, problems with fluid buildup in the middle ear, or stiffness of the eardrum or middle ear bones. Any of these problems can result in conductive hearing loss. Radiation can also damage the sensory hair cells in the inner ear, causing sensorineural hearing loss. Damage from radiation may affect one or both ears, depending on the area of radiation treatment.
Platinum chemotherapy and aminoglycoside antibiotics damage sensory hair cells in the inner ear, causing sensorineural hearing loss. Most often, the effect is similar in both ears and is permanent.
Damage from loop diuretics is caused by changes in the balance of fluids and salts within the inner ear, resulting in tissue swelling and problems with transmission of nerve signals. Fortunately, this type of hearing loss is usually temporary, but sometimes it can be permanent, especially when the diuretic is given in combination with platinum chemotherapy or aminoglycoside antibiotics.
Symptoms of Hearing Loss
- Ringing or tinkling sounds in the ear
- Difficulty hearing in the presence of background noises
- Not paying attention to sounds (such as voices, environmental noises)
- Some people may have no symptoms at all
Monitoring Hearing
Testing should be done by an experienced audiologist (a professional trained in hearing disorders).
- Hearing is usually tested by doing an audiogram. An audiogram is done in a soundproof room. The person being tested wears earphones and listens for sounds of different pitches and different volumes. Even very young children can usually have an audiogram done by an experienced pediatric audiologist using a game format.
- People who are not able to have an audiogram (such as those who are unable to understand the test instructions) can have their hearing tested using Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER). The person having this test is usually given medication to make them sleep. Then the brainwaves are recorded while sounds are delivered to the sleeping person through earphones.
When to Test Hearing
|
Treatment |
Dose |
How often hearing should be tested |
|
Cisplatin Carboplatin |
Any |
Once at entry into long-term follow-up (at least two years after completion of cancer therapy). If problems are detected, repeat yearly until stable. If there is evidence of progressive hearing loss, test more frequently as needed, until stable. |
|
Radiation field
|
30 Gy (3000 cGy) or higher |
Yearly for 5 years after completion of cancer treatment (and if younger than 10, continue yearly testing until reaching age 10). Then: -If no hearing problem is detected, test every 5 years. |
|
Less than 30 Gy (3000cGy) |
Once, at entry into long-term follow-up (at least 2 years after completion of cancer therapy). Repeat as needed if problems are detected. |
|
|
Aminoglucoside antibiotics or loop diuretics |
Any |
If there is any suspicion of a hearing problem, test at least once following completion of therapy. |
When Hearing Loss is Detected
When hearing loss is detected, it is important to have an evaluation by an audiologist or otologist (doctor who specializes in hearing disorders). Hearing loss can have a significant impact on a person’s ability to communicate and carry out daily activities. Younger children are at significant risk for school, learning, and social difficulties and problems with language development. It is therefore very important for a person with hearing loss to find the services and assistance that will best help to maximize their potential to communicate effectively. There are many options available, and these can be used in various combinations, depending on the hearing problem.
Hearing aids make sounds louder. Several types are available, depending on the age and size of the person and the extent of hearing loss. Most children under age 12 wear a behind-the-ear model to allow for adjustments as the child grows. These are available in a variety of colors – allowing for personalization and assisting with the child’s acceptance of the hearing aid. Teenagers and adults may benefit from a smaller, in-the-ear or in-the-canal model. It is very important that the hearing aid batteries are fresh and that the hearing aid is turned to the “on” position when in use.
Auditory trainers (also known as “FM trainers”) are devices that are particularly useful in the school setting. The person who is speaking (usually the teacher) wears a microphone that transmits sound over FM radio waves. The person with hearing loss wears a receiver that picks up the sound. This device can be worn alone or attached to the hearing aid and allows the person with hearing loss to hear the speaker clearly, even in a noisy environment.
Other assistive devices are also available for people with hearing loss. These include telephone amplifiers and teletypewriters (TTYs – sometimes also referred to as Telephone Devices for the Deaf or TDDs). Specialized appliances designed for people with hearing loss include alarm clocks that vibrate and smoke detectors with flashing lights. Closed captioning for television is widely available. The Internet is also a helpful communication tool for people with hearing loss, providing options such as email, online discussions, and access to information via websites. Newer pagers offer text messaging, instant messaging, Internet access, and photo transmission.
Telecommunication relay services are available in video and voice/text formats. The video relay service is internet-based and allows a person using signed language to communicate via a video interpreter, who translates the signed language into voice or text. The voice/text relay service allows a person using a teletypewriter to communicate through an operator, who then relays the message to the hearing person in spoken form.
Cochlear implants may be an option for people with profound hearing loss who are unable to benefit from hearing aids. These electronic devices are surgically placed behind the ear and electrodes are threaded into the inner ear. A microphone and speech processor are then used to transmit sound to the electrodes, stimulating the auditory nerve and allowing sound perception by the brain. After the cochlear implant is placed, auditory training is given for a period of time to teach the individual to recognize and interpret sounds.
Alternate or supplementary communication methods, including speech reading, sign language, and cued speech, are available for people with significant hearing loss. Spoken language may also be an option, but usually requires an intensive educational approach with speech therapy. In the United States, healthcare organizations that receive federal funding are required to provide sign language interpreters when requested by a patient.
Community and educational resources in the United States include services through local public school districts or referral agencies (available under the IDEA legislation, PL 105-17), such as intensive speech therapy and auditory trainers for classroom use. Sometimes special accommodations, such as seating in the front of the classroom are all that is needed, but this usually requires that the parent request an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for the child through the school district. Many hospitals have a teacher or school liaison who can assist with arranging for the IEP and other specialized services that may be needed. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA, PL 101-336) guarantees people with hearing loss equal access to public events, spaces, and opportunities, including text telephones and telephone amplifiers in public places, and assistive listening devices in theaters. Some theaters also offer special showings of newly released movies with captioning.
Protecting Hearing
If you have experienced hearing loss or received therapy that has the potential to damage your hearing, you should discuss this with your healthcare provider. Be sure to obtain prompt evaluation and treatment for ear infections, swimmer’s ear, and earwax impaction. Whenever possible, ask your healthcare provider to consider alternatives to medications that have the potential to cause further hearing loss, including aminoglycoside antibiotics, loop diuretics, salicylates (such as aspirin), and chelating agents (such as deferoxamine).
You should also take care to protect your ears from loud noises that can cause significant damage to your ears. Examples of items and activities that can be hazardous to your hearing include:
|
Appliances |
Occupations |
Recreation |
|
Hair dryers |
Firefighters |
Hunting |
|
Vacuum cleaners |
Construction workers, farmers |
Boating or water skiing |
|
Lawn mowers |
Airport workers |
Motorcycling or four-wheeling |
|
Yard trimmers or leaf blowers |
Cab, truck, and bus drivers |
Headphones |
If you cannot avoid exposure to noise, you should:
- Wear hearing protection such as ear plugs or ear muffs
- Limit periods of exposure to noise (for example, if you are at a loud concert, go to a quieter area for a while to give your ears a break)
- Be aware of the noise in your environment and take control of it when you can.