Cindy,

I had cisplatin as my chemo agent and also have hearing loss and the constant buzzing/ringing in my ears. Since I finished treatments I have had to have tubes put in my ears as the fluid was backing up and causing even more problems. Although annoying and frustrating at times, especially trying to hear people when there's a lot of background noise, I've just learned to ask people to repeat themselves. I figure this is just another part of my new "normal." Hang in there!

Nancy

Cindy,

Both Oncologists, radiation and medical, should be fairly well informed on the various side effects of the treatments. Maybe you could ask them about the hearing problem. You never know, they may have seen this before in another patient.

Glenn

I called the medical oncologist today and they recommended that I take Harry to the ENT. So I have made an appointment for next Thur.

They said that they wanted him to be checked to see that it is not just a wax buildup or something.

Thanks for all of your great advice. As usual it has been very helpful.

Cindy

Cindy,
When I first started treatment at M.D. Anderson they scheduled regular appointments with the staff audiologist, who tested and charted my hearing to see where I was at the beginning and if it was getting worse from the chemo and radiation. Of course I learned what all wives already know...I don't hear worth a darn. I did not hear all that well to begin with, and the last audiologist that I saw recommended that I go to a private audiologist and see about getting fitted for a hearing aid. So far, vanity has not allowed me to do it. What? What did you say? Oh well...

Hang in there Cindy,
Danny G.

Hey, my docs put me on buspar for the anxiety,which dosen't have the floaty feelings that xanax can cause. The down side is that it takes a couple of weeks to really start working, but if the anxiety is really bad xanax can be used short-term and the anti-depressants& buspar can also be taken, dropping the xanax when the buspar kicksa in. I also was on cisplatin chemo, and my nurses asked me daily if I hadb any ringing in my ears which is a sign that the chemo is damaging your ears. However, I went almost deaf by the end of rad/chemo. My ears had pluggedup with so much wax and dead skin they had to flush them twice to get all the gick out. Hopefully that's what the problem is...hope this helps...
Sue

Danny,

I know what you mean about the "hearing problem". My husband (who has never had radiation) seems to have it, and it affects whichever ear is facing in my direction.

I still seem to have an issue with hard wax in the left ear canal (which is the side that received the heaviest radiation) and I have to go in from time to time to have it thoroughly cleaned out. For me it's not so much a problem with hearing as it is with pressure that builds up in that one spot.

Cathy