FINDINGS from a recent cross-sectional study have revealed that compared to the general population, hearing loss (HL) is more common in individuals who are survivors of cancer. The risk of HL is greater in those who are survivors of cancer due to age, and the effects of previous chemotherapy and radiotherapy. However, screening guidelines for HL in this cohort of patients is not uniform.
Qian Wang, University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center and Case Western Reserve University, both in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, and colleagues, performed the study to identify the prevalence of HL in survivors of cancer compared to the general population of the USA.
In total, 9,337 patients aged 20–80 years, who had completed a hearing questionnaire as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), and undergone audiometry testing between 2011–2020, were included. Of these, 848 were survivors of cancer. Notably, these individuals were, on average, older than the general population at 62.7 years compared to 45.6 years, and were more likely to be female, non-Hispanic White, former smokers, have ≥3 comorbidities, have a poverty index >1.85, have graduated college, and be insured.
Whilst 74.9% of survivors of cancer and 72.3% of the general population had undergone a specialist-performed hearing test (odds ratio [OR]: 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.97–1.10), troublesome hearing, speech-frequency HL, and high-frequency HL were found to be more prevalent amongst survivors of cancer than the general population.
Troublesome hearing impacted 40.7% and 21.2% of survivors of cancer and the general population, respectively (adjusted OR [aOR]: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.11–1.84); speech-frequency HL impacted 63.2% of survivors of cancer and 31.6% of the general population (aOR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.11–1.85); and high-frequency HL occurred in 63.2% of survivors of cancer compared to 31.6% of the general population (aOR: 1.74; 95% CI: 1.29–2.34).
The findings highlight that in the USA, there is a greater prevalence of HL amongst survivors of cancer compared to the general population. This spotlights the need for improved education and awareness, as well as engaged conversations between patients and clinicians regarding the development of HL. The authors recommend that healthcare professionals should facilitate early screening and appropriate referrals if HL occurs in these individuals.
