Now wait a minute. I had Cisplatin and radiation and it fried all of my eustacian tubes, hence no drainage until they recovered. It took quite a while and I had pretty bad hearing loss during that time. Eventually it recovered and subsequent hearing tests actually showed an improvement in my midrange hearing sensitivity. Fluid buildup DID show up on my MRI's. It's not something they can palpate.

It isn't treatable - you just have to ride it out.

As Gail stated, the ototoxicity effect of Cisplatin is a a common side effect along with it's nephrotoxicity (the effects are far more severe in children). Only a few people here have had to cease and desist it because of it however. The adverse effects occur fairly quickly during treatment and it is reversible if the treatment is stopped early. Baseline audiology testing should be standard as well as regular testing during and after treatment. It is one of the most effective chemo agents for H&N cancer so the risk/benefit factors must be carefully weighed. Carboplatin has shown itself to be less ototoxic.

High frequency loss would is quite expected both from aging and also fluid buildup. It would be like coming down in an airplane before your ears popped. I had earaches from the pressure as well - it eventually resolved itself as the tissues in my burned out throat healed themselves and proper drainage was once agsain restored..

Ototoxicity can even be caused by some antibiotics and even aspirin: check out this link:

http://www.bcm.edu/oto/grand/62305.htm