hearing loss after chemo

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BonnieK
BonnieK Member Posts: 655
edited March 2017 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Anyone else have problems with tinnitis and hearing loss after having chemo?  Just curious -- had a hearing test today and failed miserably, which I totally expected.  My chemo was in late 2008/early 2009, cytoxan and taxotere and I haven't seen any documentation that those drugs could cause hearing loss so I'm just asking out of curiosity because my doctor mentioned the possibility.

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  • clariceak
    clariceak Member Posts: 752
    edited April 2011

    I have hearing loss which occured after chemo. It seems like someone suddenly turned down the volume. It never occurred to me to blame it on chemo, because I worked on commercial fishing vessels much of my life.

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  • MoinTexas
    MoinTexas Member Posts: 30
    edited April 2011

    I also had taxotere and cytoxan - finished in Aug. 2008 - and I have also had hearing loss that I am sure is from it.  I already had one bad ear from childhood infections having destroyed the little connecting bones, so I had one good ear - which has now lost about half of its hearing.  My ear doctor doesn't disagree.

    Marilyn

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited April 2011

    I've not noticed the hearing thing for me so far but I can tell I'm just not the same mentally.  It wouldn't surprise me at all and might be worse as I age due to chemo, did chemo at 34.  I hope you can find some relief.

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  • YATCOMW
    YATCOMW Member Posts: 664
    edited April 2011

    I had heard the hearing loss was a possible side effect of cisplatin.....had not heard that it was possible with these chemos.....

    Since my oncologist recommended cisplatin I was concerned...and remember talking to my sister about it....Her response was that my kids would be teenagers in a few years and maybe I didn't want to have to hear all the back talk.....she was trying to make light of the situation of course.

    I haven't found my hearing impaired but I don't think I can smell things like I used it and definitely my brain doesn't work like it used to.

     Jacqueline

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  • 208sandy
    208sandy Member Posts: 2,610
    edited April 2011

    I had my chemo starting in May 08 and honestly for the first two years I knew my hearing was impaired - it seems to be getting better - chemo destroys ALL our hair and I'll bet the tiny hairs in our ears are destroyed at the same time - just my take on it.  As for smell that's diminished somewhat and the taste buds seem to be permanently altered - my brain is doing so much better but I am not on AIs as I had a bad reaction to them and they seriously affected my memory, thought processes and emotions.

    Sandy

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2012

    I have "age related" hearing loss - but when my audiologist heard I had chemotherapy, she said to ask my oncologist if it could be an SE.  My oncologist said the DD A/C I had does not cause hearing loss, but some chemotherapies can - I didn't ask her which ones - as I hadn't had them. 

    The "age related" hearing loss is most commonly the loss of what is called the "high range" - higher pitched sounds.

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  • Celtic_Spirit
    Celtic_Spirit Member Posts: 748
    edited April 2011

    I finished TAC chemo in Sept. 2008. I began having trouble with my ears the next month. I've had sinus trouble all of my life, but rarely has it affected my ears. I don't have hearing loss, but I have been having trouble with my ears being stopped up. I often feel like I've experienced a rapid change in elevation or swimmer's ear.

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  • BonnieK
    BonnieK Member Posts: 655
    edited April 2011

    I've been reading about the drugs that can cause hearing loss and think it's more likely the NSAIDS or another medication and not the chemo drugs in my situation.  Of course, it could be age related -- I'm no spring chicken!  My doctor wants me to see an ear, nose and throat specialist and an audiologist to see if they can figure out the cause, so that's on one of my lists.

    My senses of taste and smell have improved slowly since chemo, but they are not as good as before.  My short term memory is terrible at times, but that may be from the Femara.  I tend to make lots of lists and that helps keep life in some sort of order.  This morning I went to the kitchen to feed our old cat and ended up getting myself a cup of coffee instead because I forgot that the cat had been begging for food (he's 17 and needs to eat every 4 hours like a baby!).  The poor cat was looking at me and crying, which prompted me to remember that 3 minutes before I had intended to feed him, which I finally did.  Typical ....  LOL.

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  • sugarplum
    sugarplum Member Posts: 318
    edited April 2011

    My ears have been ringing ever since chemo in 2006 - my onc said the drugs I was on (TAC) shouldn't have caused it, but the timing is so suspicious, what else could it be?  I'm not the lead singer in a rock band, for Pete's sake!

    Most of the time I've just gotten used to it as background noise - but of course at night it sounds louder...

     Haven't taken a hearing test so not sure how I would do with that!

    Julie

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  • mrsnjband
    mrsnjband Member Posts: 1,409
    edited April 2011

    I don't hear as well as I used to but not sure I can blame it on chemo. NJ

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2012

    I was amazed, when I took my first hearing test in my life - last year, and got my BTE ( behind the ear) hearing aids.  The technology has improved so much in the past few years - it really is now analagous to getting eyeglasses to see better.  I went to the Northampton MA Clarke School for the Deaf for mine - anyone in this area - they are fabulous!!!

    A computer tested my ears - and then PROGRAMMED this tiny little "chip" which is in the behind the ear part, to amplify ONLY the hearing range I have difficulty with.  No other sounds are louder - just the ones I can't hear - in my case, in the higher range.  There is a clear plastic "wire", that holds the tiniest receiver you can imagine, which goes into the ear.  No "plug" - ear way is not blocked - so all sounds sound "natural."  Less invaseive than wearing those microphone 'buds' on IPods....I am just amazed.

    BTW - the backs come in great colors if you want them - mine are Purple ("when I am old I will wear purple") - so if anyone DOES need hearing aids, don't worry and CELEBRATE what an amazing difference they can make.  It is SO lovely to hear everything - birds chirping, son peerper frogs at night.  I love mine.

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  • BonnieK
    BonnieK Member Posts: 655
    edited April 2011

    My hearing was tested today by an audiologist and I have some hearing loss at all frequencies in both ears.  Also saw the ENT, who said the structure of my ears is fine and we'll probably never know exactly what caused the hearing loss. I have an appointment next Tuesday to get fitted for hearing aids that I can borrow for a week to see how I like them before making a commitment.   

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  • BonnieK
    BonnieK Member Posts: 655
    edited April 2011

    Caerus-Sunflowers -- I think the hearing aids I am trying out are like the ones you have -- they are tiny and fit behind my ears with tiny wires that go into my ears.  The audiologist programmed them to amplify only what was necessary and everything sounds very natural, but also clearer and sharper.  Next week I will get a different pair of hearing aids to make a comparison and decide which will work best for me.  It is truly amazing to be able to hear better -- I had no idea how much I was missing. 

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  • sharalou
    sharalou Member Posts: 223
    edited May 2011

    i also have hearing loss. .what are the other type of hearing aides you are going to try? I have the tiny ones. they are okay, not great, and not cheap!

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  • BonnieK
    BonnieK Member Posts: 655
    edited May 2011

    First I tried Oticon and now am trying Phonak, but don't know the models.  The design is basically the same -- very small amplifier behind the ear with a wire and receiver that goes into the ear.  So far I am leaning toward the Oticon because it is more comfortable with my glasses and I could hear more clearly.  The audiologist hasn't talked about price with me yet, but I know they are really expensive.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2012

    I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my Oticon BTE ( behind the ears) don't know model number.  I also wear glasses,  the hearing aids fit fine with them.  Hearing aids right behind the ear, glasses next to my head.

    I have age related hearing loss, mostly the "higher range" - women's voices, bird sounds.  It is SO lovely to walk in the  morning & be able to hear the birds chirping.  Had no idea what I was missing.  One of my favorite night sounds is the Spring Peepers ( frogs) we have around us, and when I take off my hearing aids at night ( with the windows still open) I can't hear them...

    Had no idea how much I was missing and would urge anyone who needs to use hearing aids to check out these newer ones.  They've made advances in the technology in the past few years.  Just amazing.  Really completely analogous to having glasses to improve vision.  Very personalized, as Bonnie describes.

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  • BonnieK
    BonnieK Member Posts: 655
    edited May 2011

    Returned the loaner hearing aids earlier this week and got pricing information -- Yikes!  The ones I would get are the Oticon Acto BTE, and now am trying to decide whether to miss some sounds and turn up the volume on the TV or spend lots of cash.  Am giving myself a week to decide.

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  • Chevyboy
    Chevyboy Member Posts: 10,786
    edited June 2011

    Hi gals!  Bonnie, I just posted an answer to you on the older women's thread.  I lost my hearing due to Tamoxifen, which IS a chemo drug.....I started a thread called Deafness from Tamoxifen, but evidently not too many women have been affected, except for one other gal that I know of!

    But yes, Chemo, or chemo drugs raise heck with our hair, and the nerves in our ears are like little hairs, that get damaged from these drugs.  I've been told it is permanent.  I have 100% "voice recognition" loss in my left ear, & only 50% loss in my right!  The Oncologists don't want to believe that this DOES happen, either.  So I'm now going to my Radiologist. 

    I found 5 different web-sites that talk about Deafness from Tamoxifen....So I'm sure there are a lot more, searching Deafness from Chemo!  I wrote the drug companies, to ask them to PLEASE include a warning with this drug....They did call me back for more info, also the FDA has the same information. 

    I went to an ENT, & they wanted WAY too much money, but my friend happened to tell me about Costco, & I got the top of the Bernafon line....the Veras 9....and I love them.  They are also the behind the ear type, & you don't even feel them in your ears......And they were 1/2 of what another friend paid!  The batteries are also #312, & are $9.39 for 30 of them.  So please check it out, from Costco! 

     If you want any more information, I'll try and help you.....  I just woke up one morning, and could not hear out of my left ear!  Went for a month, trying allergy meds, etc......and it didn't help!  She finally sent me to the expensive ENT.....Also Costco gives free hearing tests....

    Okay....guess that's it.....Jeannette

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  • BonnieK
    BonnieK Member Posts: 655
    edited June 2011

    Thanks for the message and the PM, Jeannette.  I've been on Arimidex for a year and then switched to Femara for the past year, so maybe the AIs have something to do with my hearing loss, which ranges from 20-40% across the board on both sides.  I can hear, but it is difficult to understand conversations, soft voices, TV, movies, etc.  I've already been to an ENT/audiologist and tried two different brands of hearing aids for a week each, but have not purchased aids yet because of the cost.  I will definitely check out Costco and see if they can help me.  Thanks again.

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  • seeay
    seeay Member Posts: 56
    edited June 2011

    Hi Everyone!

    I am 46 and have experienced hearing loss. I have done 3/6 cycles of TCH. Research has shown that it is from the carboplatin. I was just switched to Cytoxan, so we will see. But this sure is annoying! I am supposed to do tamozifin, but now after reading your postings that it also causes hearing loss, I am - at a loss for words!!!

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  • carcharm
    carcharm Member Posts: 486
    edited June 2011

    I've just started having tinnitis and my chemo ended dec 2009 but herceptin till 8/10. I had annaphalaxis with carboplatin my last tx so they stopped itl

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  • grits1960
    grits1960 Member Posts: 2
    edited January 2015

    I was treated for Breast Cancer in 2007 with Taxotere and Cytoxan. I have tinnitus and mild hearing loss. The ENT said it was probably the chemotherapy. This is relatively new for me. It happened about four months ago. I was also on Tamoxifen for years after and that can also lead to hearing loss.

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  • Fitz33
    Fitz33 Member Posts: 243
    edited January 2015

    I definitely suffered hearing loss from the chemo, taxotere, carboplatin. Don't know if Tykerb or Herceptin had anything to do with it.

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  • chashdan
    chashdan Member Posts: 2
    edited December 2016

    hi

    I am after a lumpectomy. DCIS. I didn't get A/C

    just taxol and Herceptin

    but I have terrible hearing loss and tinnitus- I had them before the chemo but much much worse now

    I am trying to find out if the hearing loss is from the taxol or the herceptin

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited December 2016

    Dear chashdan,

    Welcome to the BCO community. We are glad that you reached out to our members. Here is some information on out main site about Hearing Loss after Chemotherapy. You may want to repost this question in the Side Effects Management forum as this particular thread has not had recent activity. Let us know if you need any help navigating through the boards. The Mods



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  • lintrollerderby
    lintrollerderby Member Posts: 483
    edited December 2016

    There may be other causes of hearing loss related to the drugs used in breast cancer treatment, but I do know that it can occur if the tiny hairs that help to conduct sound inside the ear do not grow back as plentiful as before.

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  • awind
    awind Member Posts: 1
    edited March 2017

    I was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer in 2007. I chose to take Femara for 5 years and 60 radiation treatments vs doing chemo. Had a lumpectomy and have been cancer free for 10 years. I too developed tinnitis and have hearing loss. No one in my immediate family has hearing loss. Both my parents who died in their early 80's did not have hearing loss. I too have researched and read that it appears NAISD medications maybe be the cause.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited March 2017

    Welcome, awind, and thank you for sharing your experiences on hearing loss here with everybody!

    If there's anything you need help with or have any comment for us, please feel free to contact us. We're always here.

    Best wishes,

    From the Mods

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