Tinitus (how can you tell if it is really bad?)

ac
ac Member Posts: 88 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Hi,

I just finished my first round of Cisplatin last week and feel like I am experiencing a little ringing in the ears. It's not unbearable but I'm wondering if it will get worse. How can I tell if it is at an acceptable or normal level given the treatments?

Some noises, for example, porcelain crockery clashing together are starting to irritate my ears. I also seem to be noticing background noises like traffic a lot more.

Does this ever go away or is it permanent? Also, does it get worse with each round of chemo?

If it is not too much trouble, please reply even if you never experienced tinitus as I would like to know how common this is.

Thank you.

Comments

  • Hal61
    Hal61 Member Posts: 655
    #2
    tinnitus
    Hi AC, not uncommon, but something to keep track of. I have permanent and disabling tinnitus from my 3x Cisplatin treatments, but the permanent part didn't start until several monts after I'd finished treatment.

    My docs didn't monitor the hearing aspect well during my treatment. If you are having these symptoms after one round, I'd definitely get anaudio test for a baseline through my ENT, and discuss your symptoms and test results. Pateints who show hearing loss after one treatment, are candidates for switching to other chemo cocktails that don't have as much effect on hearing.

    Your symptoms might be temporary, and a lot of people have your concerns during treatment, and they are temporary. Just watch it closely, and insist that your docs pay attention to it.

    best, Hal
  • palmyrafan
    palmyrafan Member Posts: 396
    #3
    Tinnitus
    I have never had chemo, but ever since I was very little (say about age 4), I've had tinnitus. I've gotten used to it over the years and even though I am almost deaf now (still trying to figure this one out!) I still have a little bit of an issue with tinnitus. Sounds like a jungle.

    I guess I wouldn't know what living without tinnitus sounds like, it has always been a part of my life.
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #4
    Hal61 said:

    tinnitus
    Hi AC, not uncommon, but something to keep track of. I have permanent and disabling tinnitus from my 3x Cisplatin treatments, but the permanent part didn't start until several monts after I'd finished treatment.

    My docs didn't monitor the hearing aspect well during my treatment. If you are having these symptoms after one round, I'd definitely get anaudio test for a baseline through my ENT, and discuss your symptoms and test results. Pateints who show hearing loss after one treatment, are candidates for switching to other chemo cocktails that don't have as much effect on hearing.

    Your symptoms might be temporary, and a lot of people have your concerns during treatment, and they are temporary. Just watch it closely, and insist that your docs pay attention to it.

    best, Hal

    Hi ac

    Like Hal said pretty normal and yes it may get worse before it is over. Not all of it is from the chemo some of it will be from the radiation as well when you start it, because the rad beam will be close to your nerves in the ears and eyes. For me the ringing all stopped and so did all the background noise but that is when I found out I was 85% deaf in both ears. Hearing aids do help but it is nothing like normal hearing. Remember I had rad treatment twice for NPC so I don’t expect you to have close to as many problems as I have.

    Wishing you the best
    Hondo
  • hawk711
    hawk711 Member Posts: 566
    #5
    palmyrafan said:

    Tinnitus
    I have never had chemo, but ever since I was very little (say about age 4), I've had tinnitus. I've gotten used to it over the years and even though I am almost deaf now (still trying to figure this one out!) I still have a little bit of an issue with tinnitus. Sounds like a jungle.

    I guess I wouldn't know what living without tinnitus sounds like, it has always been a part of my life.

    My ears
    I can't speak for all or a professonal opinion, but I have a ringing in my ears that is constant and I am 18 mo post treatment. It seems louder at night, when sounds are quiet around me. My ENT says it is caused by the Cisplatin chemo, but as you know, we are all different and some have issues other don't and vice versa....Sometimes treatment and results are a little like playing craps, some win, some lose and some break even...I would keep watching it but the ringing is something I live with and you do come to live with it as Palmyrafan saied.
    Hope it improves for you
    Steve
  • pattyanny
    pattyanny Member Posts: 544
    #6
    Huh? What did you say?
    Hi ac, I too had cysplatin and have had, and still have the tinnitus. Some days worse than others. Crowded rooms are rough at times with everyone talking. Everyone is different. I have just decided to deal with it for now. Needless to say, it is annoying to my children when I keep asking for them to repeat themselves. Lol! Like they never annoyed me! :)
    Just keep monitoring it, and mention it to your Dr. This is another bonus side effect I was not warned about, but I am glad I am still around to complain! Hee hee! Hang in there ac!
    Love & Prayers,Patty
  • Dan Garrett
    Dan Garrett Member Posts: 14
    #7
    Tinitus
    Make sure you let your Doctors know about this. I just thought this was normal with chemo. I now have Tinitus and I believe that Cisplatin was the major cause. I did not lose my hearing completely but it is difinitely worse. I remember that every thing sounded like glass breaking but that has gotten much better. I am a basement drummer and couldn't go near my drum kit for quite a while but now I am fine with that. The constant buzzing I have varies and sometimes it gets really loud but it never goes away completely. My ear nose and throat doctor says that this will probably always be there. I have learned to live with it. Just another side affect that we all seem to have. It could be worse, we could be blind. God Bless

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