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Objective and subjective hearing loss is more common in cancer survivors than in the general population, according to a study published in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
The study included 9337 patients who were 20 to 80 years of age, had undergone audiometry testing, and had completed a hearing questionnaire as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2011 and 2020.
About 10% of patients (n=848) were cancer survivors. The cancer survivors were older than the general population (mean age, 62.7 years vs 45.6 years).
The cancer survivors were also more likely to be women (odds ratio [OR], 1.10; 95% CI, 1.00-1.21), be non-Hispanic White (OR, 1.32; 95% CI,1.24-1.41), have graduated college (OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.02-1.41), have a poverty index greater than 1.85 (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.10-1.23), be insured (OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.10-1.18), be former smokers (OR, 1.58; 95%CI, 1.38-1.80), and have 3 or more comorbidities (OR, 2.79; 95%CI, 2.48-3.15).
A similar proportion of cancer survivors and the general population reported having a hearing test by a specialist — 74.9% and 72.3%, respectively (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.97-1.10).
However, hearing loss was more common among cancer survivors. Troublesome hearing was more likely among cancer survivors than among the general population —40.7% and 21.2%, respectively (adjusted OR [aOR], 1.43; 95% CI, 1.11-1.84).
Speech-frequency hearing loss was more likely among cancer survivors than among the general population — 40.8% and 16.6%, respectively (aOR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.11-1.85).
And high-frequency hearing loss was more likely among cancer survivors than among the general population — 63.2% and 31.6%, respectively (aOR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.29-2.34).
There was no significant difference in the odds of developing tinnitus between cancer survivors and the general population — 25.0% and 16.6%, respectively (aOR, 1.28; 95% CI, 0.94-1.74).
“Cancer survivors and their families should be educated and encouraged to discuss hearing concerns, and healthcare professionals should facilitate raising awareness and provide early screening and timely referral when hearing loss is identified,” the researchers concluded.
Disclosures: Some study authors declared affiliations with biotech, pharmaceutical, and/or device companies. Please see the original reference for a full list of disclosures.
Reference
Wang Q, Jiang C, Wen C, et al. Subjective and objective hearing loss among US adult cancer survivors. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. Published online October 5, 2023. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2023.2941
This article originally appeared on Cancer Therapy Advisor
