The Study of Auditory Effects after Concomitant Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer

Abstract

Aims and Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and patterns of hearing loss after concomitant radiochemotherapy in patients enrolled in a larynx preservation protocol. Materials and Methods: The study comprised of audiological evaluation of 30 patients prior to and at 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment using pure tone audiometry and impedance audiometry. Results: At the end of 6 months, 43.33% suffered sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), 8.33% conductive hearing loss, 16.67% mixed hearing loss, and 6.67% showed improvement in hearing. Discussion: The possible mechanism for hearing loss are discussed and compared with the result of such studies in literature. Conclusion: There exist a small but definite potential risk of hearing loss after concomitant radiotherapy and chemotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer.