Severity of Hearing Loss in Cancer Survivors Children After Chemotherapy

Abstract

Background: Hearing impairment is a recognized complication among childhood cancer survivors exposed to potentially ototoxic chemotherapy. Early identification of auditory dysfunction is important for communication, educational participation, and quality of life. Objective: To determine the frequency, type, and severity of hearing loss among pediatric cancer survivors following chemotherapy. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. A total of 162 children aged 6–15 years with a history of chemotherapy were recruited through purposive sampling. Demographic and treatment-related information was collected using a structured questionnaire. Otoscopy and pure-tone audiometry were performed to assess hearing status. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, and categorical variables were summarized using frequencies and percentages. Results: Of 162 participants, 98 (60.5%) were male and 64 (39.5%) were female. Hearing impairment was recorded in 145 children (89.5%). Sensorineural hearing loss was the most common type (65.4%), followed by mixed hearing loss (24.1%). Moderate-to-severe hearing loss was the predominant severity category (58.0%), followed by mild-to-moderate (25.9%) and severe-to-profound hearing loss (5.6%). Hearing difficulties in noisy environments were reported by 59.9% of participants, while only 4.3% used hearing assistive devices. Conclusion: A substantial proportion of pediatric cancer survivors in this clinical sample demonstrated hearing impairment, predominantly sensorineural and moderate-to-severe in nature. The findings support routine audiological surveillance and timely rehabilitation following cancer treatment. Causal relationships could not be established because of the cross-sectional design.