Quick Answer
Chemotherapy is one of the most important tools doctors use to fight cancer — but one of its most common and overlooked side effects is hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). A 2022 study of cancer survivors found that more than half who were treated with chemotherapy for the four most common cancers had clinically significant hearing loss and tinnitus — and many didn’t realize it. The encouraging part: both are treatable, and getting evaluated is the first step. Here’s what to know.
Are you, or a loved one, among the millions of people who have undergone chemotherapy to treat cancer? Most of us understand that chemotherapy is one of the most common tools doctors use to fight back against cancer. But too many people don’t realize that one of the most common and disruptive side effects of chemotherapy is hearing loss and tinnitus — yes, that ringing in your ears.
I’m Dr. Keith Darrow, an MIT- and Harvard Medical School-trained neuroscientist and clinical audiologist. If you or a loved one has undergone chemotherapy and you now find yourself struggling to hear family and friends in background noise, turning the TV up louder than everyone else, noticing an annoying ringing in your ears or head — especially at night — or having more forgetful “senior moments,” years of research tell us these symptoms may be the result of damage to your hearing system caused by the chemotherapy.
The Overlooked Side Effect of Chemotherapy
Perhaps your doctor mentioned this possibility, or perhaps it was quickly glossed over. That’s understandable — when you’re facing cancer, you’re focused on beating it, not on the possible side effects. But the connection between chemotherapy and hearing damage has been studied for years. Certain chemotherapy drugs are ototoxic, meaning they can damage the delicate sensory cells of the inner ear and the hearing pathways — and that damage can show up as hearing loss, tinnitus, or both.
What the 2022 Research Found
One of the most striking reports came out in 2022, published in BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care. Researchers found that more than half of cancer survivors treated with chemotherapy for the four most common types of cancer — breast, gastrointestinal, lung, and gynecologic — had clinically significant hearing loss, confirmed by an audiogram, along with high rates of tinnitus.
Two details stand out. First, the high rates occurred regardless of the specific chemotherapy regimen — across both platinum- and taxane-based drugs, whether given alone or in combination. Second, many people didn’t realize their hearing had changed: about 31% who said their hearing was fine were found to have measurable hearing loss on testing. That’s exactly why testing matters.
Source: Cheung SW, et al. “Cancer survivors and neurotoxic chemotherapy: hearing loss and tinnitus.” BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, 2022. View the study →
Signs to Watch For After Chemotherapy
If you’ve been through chemotherapy, these are common signs that your hearing may have been affected:
- Struggling to follow conversations in background noise, like restaurants or gatherings
- Turning the TV up louder than others in the room prefer
- A ringing, buzzing, or humming in your ears or head — often most noticeable at night
- Feeling like people are mumbling, or asking others to repeat themselves
- More frequent forgetful “senior moments” or mental fatigue after a day of listening
None of these should simply be accepted as “part of getting older” or something you have to live with — especially after chemotherapy.
What Can Be Done to Help
Here’s the good news: our center specializes in the medical treatment of hearing loss and tinnitus, and we provide dedicated support both for patients who are currently fighting cancer and for those who have come through treatment. Our team pinpoints the exact problem in your ears and builds a custom treatment plan around your hearing, your goals, and your situation.
Treatment plans are designed to be straightforward and affordable, and to help you hear in every situation — including background noise. In our practice, we’re able to reduce the experience of tinnitus for the large majority of patients — more than 86%. And treating hearing loss isn’t only about hearing: it’s one of the most important modifiable steps you can take to support memory and help lower your risk of cognitive decline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can chemotherapy cause hearing loss and tinnitus?
Yes. Certain chemotherapy drugs are ototoxic, meaning they can damage the inner ear and hearing pathways. A 2022 study found that more than half of survivors treated with chemotherapy for the four most common cancers had clinically significant hearing loss and tinnitus.
How common is hearing loss after chemotherapy?
In the 2022 BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care study of 273 survivors, more than half had audiogram-confirmed hearing loss. Notably, about 31% who believed their hearing was normal were found to have measurable loss — so it’s often more common than people realize.
Does it matter which chemotherapy drugs I received?
The 2022 study found high rates of hearing loss and tinnitus across both platinum- and taxane-based regimens, whether given alone or in combination. If you’ve had chemotherapy, a hearing evaluation is worthwhile regardless of the specific drugs used.
What are the signs of chemo-related hearing loss?
Common signs include trouble hearing in background noise, turning up the TV, ringing or buzzing in the ears (especially at night), feeling like people are mumbling, and more forgetful moments or listening fatigue.
Is chemo-related hearing loss and tinnitus treatable?
Yes. A comprehensive evaluation can identify the problem, and treatment may include hearing technology and tinnitus management. Support is available both during and after cancer treatment to help you hear better and reduce the impact of tinnitus.
Should I get my hearing tested if I’ve had chemotherapy?
Yes. Adults are not routinely screened the way children receiving chemotherapy are, and hearing changes are easy to miss. Testing before, during, and after treatment is ideal — but it’s worth doing at any point if you have concerns.
Been Through Chemotherapy and Not Hearing Your Best?
If you or a loved one has been through chemotherapy and is struggling to hear, dealing with ringing in the ears, or noticing more forgetful moments, reach out to our team to learn how we can help you hear better, live with less tinnitus, and stay independent.
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About the Author
Keith N. Darrow, Ph.D., CCC-A, FAAA is a neuroscientist and clinical audiologist and the Director of Audiology Research at Hearing & Brain Centers of America. He holds a doctoral degree from the joint Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard Medical School program in Speech and Hearing Bioscience and Technology, and is a tenured professor at Worcester State University. A Certified Dementia Practitioner with more than 20 years in hearing healthcare, he writes and speaks widely on hearing, tinnitus, and brain health.
Source: Cheung SW, Henderson-Sabes J, Miaskowski C, et al. “Cancer survivors and neurotoxic chemotherapy: hearing loss and tinnitus.” BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care. 2022. DOI: 10.1136/spcare-2022-003684. This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individual medical advice; talk with your care team about your hearing during and after cancer treatment.
Adapted from a video by Keith N. Darrow, Ph.D., CCC-A, FAAA — July 29, 2026.