Researchers involved with a qualitative study published in Cancer concluded that clinicians play an important role in educating cancer survivors about potential hearing loss as a result of ototoxicity from treatments, according to an article on the Cancer Network website.
For those that experience hearing loss, the effects can be isolating, according to the article, and may make it difficult to communicate or connect with new people. Clinicians can help educate those with hearing loss by suggesting treatments or assuring them that they are not alone in their experiences, thereby lessening isolation.
In some cases, according to the article, hearing loss may be “deprioritized” in the context of other treatment-related side effects, and may also serve as a “reminder” of the illness.
To read the article in its entirety, please click here.
Original Paper: Khan A, Mubdi N, Budnick A, et al. The experience of hearing loss in adult survivors of childhood and young adult cancer: A qualitative study. Cancer. 2020;0:1-8.
Source: Cancer, Cancer Network
