Cisplatin Hearing Damage: What You Need to Know About Ototoxicity and Protection

When you’re fighting cancer, side effects are part of the battle—and cisplatin hearing damage, a type of permanent hearing loss caused by the chemotherapy drug cisplatin. Also known as ototoxicity, it’s one of the most common and lasting side effects of this powerful drug. Unlike nausea or fatigue, which fade after treatment ends, hearing loss from cisplatin often sticks around for life. It doesn’t always show up right away. For many, it starts with trouble hearing high-pitched sounds—like children’s voices or birds chirping—then slowly gets worse.

This isn’t just about volume. Cisplatin attacks the tiny hair cells in your inner ear that turn sound into signals your brain understands. Once those cells are gone, they don’t come back. Kids and older adults are more vulnerable, and people who already have hearing issues or kidney problems face even higher risk. It’s not rare: studies show up to half of adults and most children who get cisplatin develop some level of hearing loss. The good news? There are ways to monitor it early and reduce the damage.

You can’t always avoid cisplatin if it’s the best shot at beating your cancer—but you can take control of what happens next. Regular hearing tests before, during, and after treatment can catch changes early. Some doctors now use protective agents like sodium thiosulfate, especially for kids, to shield the ears without lowering the drug’s cancer-fighting power. Staying hydrated, avoiding loud noise, and skipping other ototoxic drugs like certain antibiotics or diuretics can also help. It’s not about stopping treatment—it’s about making it safer.

What you’ll find below are real, practical guides from people who’ve lived through this. From how to talk to your oncologist about hearing tests, to what to do if you notice ringing in your ears, to how other patients managed daily life with hearing loss—these posts give you the tools to speak up, stay informed, and protect what matters most.