I've finished 19 of 33 xrts and 2 of 3 cisplat txs. I've noticed a change in my hearing, as if I'm underwater. I was thinking it may be related to the swelling in my throat. I've heard that cisplatlin can cause hearing loss but rarely. Has this happened to anyone else, was it permanent or temporary?

Tim Stoj

Stoj,
Hearing changes are definitely a side effect of Cisplatin; our MO said to tell him about it immediately, so make sure you do that.

My husband had the underwater effect that you describe. It got better, but now he cannot hear high frequencies, particularly some parts of female voices (now he really has an excuse--how convenient :rolleyes: ). An example: we were in the car yesterday and there was song on the radio with female vocals and he said he couldn't hear most of the words. Just to test, I lowered my voice and he said he could hear me much better.

His MO says that could be permanent. His ENT recommended a hearing evaluation and he is getting that at the end of this month.

Hang in there, Stoj! You're getting to the home-stretch. I don't recall if you have a PEG or not. It was during week 4 of radiation that Tom got his PEG and it was not a moment too soon! Stay nourished and stay hydrated.

Joyce

Tim, are you experiencing pressure, like your ears are plugged? I can't speak to the cisplatin related hearing loss, because I only had one cisplatin/docetaxol treatment (late in the radiation cycle; made me too sick to continue). I did, however, 'acquire' some hearing loss along with a plugged ears sensation after treatment ended. My ENT said the radiation caused a thickening of the eustachian tubes. She 'installed' tiny tubes through my eardrums in an effort to equalize the pressure. Did it help? Maybe a little, mostly not, but my hearing did improve. Is it permanent? Who knows.....

Joyce,
Thanks for the insight, I'll let my MO know as well as my RO. I see the RO tomorrow. I do have a PEG and use it a couple of times a week. Thnaks for the encouragement, I can't wait for this to be over so I can start recovery. I live in GA and am getting treatment in San Antonio TX. So we're missing our home.

RileyMc,
I do have pressure and the occasional ringing. I guess when I'm done with this treatment here in Texas that most of my follow-up will be done with an ENT in GA.

I've had 2 cisplat treatments already and I'm not sure if more hearing loss is worth the benefit of one more treatment, what say you all?

Thanks
Tim Stoj

Stoj,
Your MO may come to that conclusion as well. It is a question that is certainly worth raising. Tom had the ringing, too, at times it was so intense he would just hold up his hand and stop talking or interupt me, because he couldn't hear anything else but the ringing.

I so admire folks like you that do this treatment so far from "home." As if this road wasn't difficult or stressful enough, you have to cope with being so far away from familiar surroundings. You said "we," so it sounds like you have someone with you to keep you company. My husband, Tom, began treatment just as we relocated. We were living in a Residence Inn when he had his first surgery! We can already look back on that and laugh, and are thankful for how quickly the time has passed since then--3.5 months.

Joyce

Supposedly something like 60% of people having cisplatin have some sort of hearing issue, in many it is a permanent loss of high-end hearing which cannot be corrected. In others it is a temporary ringing in the ears or feeling of "water in the ears" which gradually improves. A lot depends on dose and of course, individual sensitivity to the drug. However the side effect is common enough that my husband's MO would not use cisplatin on him, as he already has measurable high-end hearing loss (due to childhood ear infections) that interfers with his ornithological work. Instead she gave him carboplatin, which has a less than 3% chance of causing hearing loss.

Barry had a hearing test before treatment and again about 3 months after end of treatment and there had been no significant changes.

If you google "cisplatin and hearing loss" you can get more information with which to speak to your medical oncologist.

Gail

Gail/Joyce,

Hadn't been told the figure was so high for hearing issues. I'll definately talk with my MO about that. Today has been a rough day for me, dealing with a lot of nausea yesterday and today. Up until now I haven't had any issues with nausea. I took some compezine earlier and right afterward I hurled. It's neen 6 days since my last cisplat, maybe it's the radiation or all the plegm? I really do need to eat something though. I have the PEG but am getting nauseated when I use it as well. Maybe I'll try some canned soup.

Thanks
Tim

Hi Tim,

My Dad is already hard of hearing; can't hear in one ear due to meniers disease. The chemo oncologist told us that his hearing would most likely be effected and that is is irreversible. My father was thinking of not having the chemo because of this; however the RO said she felt it was needed. So that's all he had to hear; and he did all 3 chemos.

I think it was after the 2nd chemo that his hearing became distorted. He said we sounded like we had marbles in our mouths (come to think of it; it was just when us women talked). Also too many people in a room talking seemed to annoy him and still does. He also felt pressure in the ear and some ringing (which he already gets with meniers).

I noticed all this seemed to be worse right after each chemo and would clear up a bit a couple of weeks after that.

Well he's 3 1/2 months out of treatment now. His hearing is off compared to before. His cell phone rings in his pocket and he doesn't hear it, he's saying 'what' alot. But he can hear, have conversations, watch tv, go to the movies; just not like before.

He had a hearing test before chemo but hasn't had a follow up yet. For my Dad he felt having the chemo and living was more important then his hearing. The dr didn't suggest an alternative chemo, so he did the Cisplatin.

Talk to your doctor.
Lisa

I see your point, my question fo my MO is how much benifit is derived between 2 cisplatlan and 3 Txs. I've seen some folks who have had their cisplatlan stopped some with a substitute and some without?

Tim Stoj

I should add:

Our chemo dr told us that not everyone can do 3 chemo's and although 3 are best; 2 chemo's were still good; but one was not.

I feel my Dad's hearing has improved somewhat; and remember he already was hard of hearing; so it might not be an issue for you.