Hearing loss is a lesser known side effect of chemotherapy

Hearing loss and chemotherapy – what’s the connection?

Widex, one of the hearing aid manufacturers we provide at our Worcester hearing centre, released a good article a while ago on the connection between chemotherapy and hearing loss. Life expectancy and survival rates of cancer sufferers is improving all of the time because of modern break throughs in treatment. While this has to be seen as a fantastic thing it also means that survivors are seeing side effects of treatment that weren’t seen before. We decided to delve a little deeper into what exactly that means when it pertains to hearing loss.

The recognisable side effects of chemo

Hair loss, weight loss, and nausea are the most instantly recognisable side effects of chemotherapy. However, with the use of modern chemo drugs, one of the more hidden side effects is ototoxicity. Certain cancer drugs are ototoxic to humans, this means that they are damaging to the structures of the inner ear, the cochlea. This ototoxicity causes irreversible hearing loss.

Increasing survival rates for cancer sufferers

Treatment for cancer has come a long way in recent years. Many cancers that were once fatal are now seen as treatable and survival rates are increasing for many common types of cancer. As we said, this is great news, but it also means that for the first time cancer survivors are experiencing longer-term side effects as a result of their treatment. Here’s what you need to know if you are undergoing chemotherapy.

How common is hearing loss from chemotherapy?

Unfortunately this isn’t an easy question to answer, it is difficult to estimate how many people will suffer with a hearing loss as a result of chemotherapy treatment. According to the University of Arizona Cancer Center,

“Hearing loss has become one of modern cancer therapy’s most prevalent side effects. In fact, hearing loss is among the most underreported, yet potentially devastating, side effects endured by many chemotherapy patients.”

Why could I develop hearing loss from chemo?

The main reason why hearing loss is a side effect of chemotherapy is the use of newer chemotherapy agents like cisplatin and carboplatin. These treatments are hugely successful life saving treatments for cancer. Unfortunately, they can cause toxic damage to the inner ear. That damage starts in the high frequencies of hearing at first. Most sounds in speech commonly occur in lower frequencies, for this reason, chemotherapy patients often don’t realise that it is happening. As treatment continues, the hearing loss can become worse, more noticeable and tinnitus can occur.

What Can You Do?

You should get a hearing test before starting chemotherapy treatment. This will establish a  known baseline for your hearing that can be used to determine whether or not your hearing becomes worse during and after treatment.  After that initial hearing test, you should have semi regular hearing tests throughout your treatment. This will allow you to monitor your hearing during treatment. the key thing to remember with ototoxicity is that unlike many types of hearing loss, hearing loss from ototoxicity can come on suddenly and can range from mild hearing loss or tinnitus to near deafness.

Is their treatment for ototoxicity?

There is no cure for hearing loss caused by ototoxicity, but there are ways to lessen the symptoms. If you suffer this type of hearing loss hearing aids could be a real solution for you. Tinnitus management devices and other forms of tinnitus sound therapy can also help control any ringing and buzzing in your ears that develops. If you are worried about hearing loss from ototoxicity or any other cause, please don’t hesitate to contact us at our hearing aid centre in Worcester.

Lyric Can Be very Beneficial For Tinnitus, & Here’s Why

Get relief from your tinnitus 24 hours a day with Lyric

The latest studies conducted by Dr Jacob Johnson, the Associate Clinical Professor at the University of California, reveal that the extended wear (24/7) technology, may decrease the impact that your tinnitus has on your quality of life. The key feature of the benefit is that the Lyric provides sound stimulation all day every day. Let me explain why that is a good idea and why they can better for tinnitus relief than traditional hearing aids.

Hearing Aids & Tinnitus

Tinnitus is very often accompanied by hearing loss, in fact we believe much tinnitus may actually be a by-product of hearing loss. In most cases once the hearing loss has been treated with hearing aids, the tinnitus fades into insignificance.

However, once the hearing aids are taken out, the tinnitus returns. The problem is that most people will take their hearing aids out to go to bed. This is perhaps the quietest time of their day, which makes their tinnitus much more noticeable. Causing real difficulty with sleep, which frustrates and stresses them which increases their perception of their tinnitus. A vicious circle.

Lyric Hearing Aids Are Different

The real benefit of Lyric hearing aids for people with tinnitus and hearing loss is that they are worn 24/7. Therefore they are never taken out by the user and there is no let up in the relief provided by proper amplification. Even at bedtime, most users still have a noticeable difference in their perception of their tinnitus with Lyric.

It is this always on feature that makes Lyric very different from other hearing aids and other sound therapy for tinnitus. They work to give relief from tinnitus twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.

Risk Free Trial on Lyric Hearing Aid

In partnership with Phonak, the manufacturer of the 100% invisible hearing aid, we are offering a risk free trial of Lyric hearing aids. If you would like to know more about Lyric hearing aids in the Birmingham area, why don’t you call us on 01905 617803

Live life like you used to! Arrange for your 30 day risk free hearing aid trial in Worcester today by calling us direct on 01905 617803 or book your appointment now!

BOOK YOUR TRIAL

Lyric Authorised Partner

The Lyric hearing aid, the World’s first and only 100% invisible hearing aid, that can be worn 24/7 is available at Worcester Hearing Centre. We are proud to be a Lyric Authorised Partner.

The Audeo BR Hearing Aid Range

Phonak introduced the Audeo Belong range to the UK last month and they have proven far more popular than they expected. At least the rechargeable option has, in fact they are finding it hard to keep up with the demand world wide. So why have they proven so popular?

Freed from the hassle of changing batteries

Phonak have created the brand new Audéo B-R to simplify life and many people are only too happy to take advantage of that. Freeing themselves of the grief of disposable hearing aid batteries is very attractive. Up to now though, the technology just didn’t give the reassurance that many people needed that their hearing aids would not let them down at the wrong moment. The groundbreaking built-in lithium-ion battery technology in the Audeo B-R offers 24 hours of better hearing between charges.

Ground Breaking Tech

With 40% more power than conventional rechargeable batteries this new system is reliable and capable of supporting the superior technology and performance of Phonak hearing aids. This has allowed people to be confident with the new technology and very confident they seem.

As we said, people really want to enjoy the freedom and confidence of using Phonak rechargeable hearing aids. So much so, that Phonak are finding it hard to keep up.

If you have any questions about this interesting new technology, or you would like a hearing test or earwax removal in Worcester, give us a call or book your hearing test online now.

A busy but successful hearing aid and hearing loss exhibition

Thank you for making our Hearing Show a success!

A huge thank you to everybody that attended Worcester Hearing Centre’s third annual Hearing Show on 27th September. We are delighted to announce that the event was a complete success. The Cricket Club’s Graeme Hick suite was the perfect venue with a beautiful view of the pitch and the city’s Cathedral, providing a stunning backdrop to our third and biggest Hearing show in Worcester.

The attendees were welcomed with tea and coffee on arrival, before Oticon started the insightful presentations with an informative talk on the latest conversation in noise technology. After this we were treated to further educational talks from Widex & Phonak, the world’s leading Hearing Aid manufacturers.

Our Lunch & Learn session provided refreshments along with an introduction to Worcester Hearing Centre from our Directors of Audiology Victoria Dixon and Thomas Dixon and a guest speech from our client and friend, professional rugby player Mat Gilbert. Paul Lamb, technical director for Starkey UK, gave an insightful conference about tinnitus and the latest iPhone-compatible hearing aid technology.

To wrap up our event, we invited all of the hearing aid professionals for a Q&A Panel. A fantastic day which was enjoyed by both visitors and exhibitors – thank you to everybody who attended for making it such a success! If you weren’t able to make it to the show, don’t worry as we will be happy to help with any questions you may have about your hearing – call us now on 01905 617803.

We are Opening a New Hearing Healthcare Centre

We are expanding our business, opening a new hearing aid centre in Stratford Upon Avon. It means that many of our customers from that area will no longer have to travel to Worcester to see us for their continuing care.

It is a very exciting time for the family, it introduces new challenges and will involve the introduction of new staff. It is challenging but exciting at the same time. I will keep you informed as the opening date comes closer.

If are from the Stratford Upon Avon area and you have any questions, or if you would like to book an appointment, please call us on 01905 617803 or contact us online now.