The impact of chemotherapy-induced inner ear damage on quality of life in cancer survivors: a qualitative study
ConclusionsOtotoxicity can have a negative impact on QoL, specifically on social life and the fear of hearing loss and/or tinnitus worsening. There are opportunities for increased awareness by patients and clinicians, including improved information sources, and hearing monitoring not only for those undergoing platinum-based chemotherapy but many others surviving after treatment for cancer.Implications for Cancer SurvivorsBetter monitoring of hearing and information about ototoxicity during chemotherapy could potentially reduce the fear of the symptoms of ototoxicity worsening. Furthermore, hearing monitoring would facilitate the detection of hearing loss at early stages of survivorship, which would facilitate earlier access to clinical interventions and longer term counselling.
Source: Journal of Cancer Survivorship - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research