So, I see recommendations for hearing tests on some threads. Where do I get that, and what questions will I need to be asking? (Just being preemptive.) I have VERY sensitive hearing and some slight ringing in ny ears already. Married to a half-deaf man (really, only one of his ears worjs). I can see that if some treatments lead to ear issues, my husband will be no help confirming if sounds are in my head or not. So is this something I may need to be monitoring?

Kristen

Cisplatin is known to cause hearing loss which is permanent. Will you be getting that type of chemo? If so pay special attention to any changes in your hearing and tell your doc immediately. Even very minor ringing can become a serious issue if you would get another dose of the cisplatin. So glad you are being so proactive and doing your research. You will be able to advocate for yourself! Good job!

I just recently had one... I talked it over with my MO she said at my age it isn't indicated even though I will be getting 7x cisplatin. She told me the hearing complications for this type of drug are extremely rare. She asked would I ask to change my plan to something that may or may not work even if I had hearing loss, and I thought about it and said probably not.

I want to be around to complain about my side effects.

I lost about 30% of the hearing in my right ear after treatment, and I didn't have chemo. So certainly you should have your ENT check out your hearing.

Thank you, this helps. I do not know what treatment is down the road, but from this summer spent here on the forum, I am learning that asking ahead is the best thing. My ENT is my surgeon, so a test should be easy to set up thru him. Thank you all for the guidance!

If you are being treated at a CCC they should send you for one. Mine did. Best of luck.

So far, I am not at a CCC. We did visit one for a second opinion at one point, and the doctor we saw was SO bad, I think treatment at his hands would be a death sentence. And I had not heard much good about some of his colleagues. So that center, at least, I will be avoiding. I have already met the docs we are likely to use, when we were pursuing options and understanding all summer.

It's too bad your CCC sucks... Is there another one within traveling distance? maybe someone here on the forum is from your area and can recommend one? We seem to push CCCs here quite a but - it's for a good reason. Most CCCs have the best of the best in terms of drs. I know here in canada there is a process - the drs who graduated tops in their field etc... Are sought after by the top hospitals - it's the same for researchers etc... Each hospital wants to be the best. Now some of those drs may have the personality of a bedpan, and while it is nice to have someone who can soothe your fears and hold your hand when push comes to shove I can deal with the emotional fall out just give me someone who is amazing at what they do.
I'm not saying there aren't terrific drs out there who work amazingly well individually however - they are just that- an individual - there is a certain cohesiveness and team work that is found in a CCC - remember they do cancer all day every day. They have clinical trials, cutting edge surgical procedures and techniques available to them, and likely one stop shopping when it comes to things like dentistry, hearing tests etc. Everything during my treatment was handled and arranged by my hospital. Your sig says you have poorly differentiated SCC - this means its aggressive. I would seek out he top doctors available to you - in the head and neck field - hugs and best of luck