ROLE OF AUDIOLOGICAL SCREENING (PURE TONE AUDIOMETRY AND DISTORTION PRODUCT OTOACOUSTIC EMISSIONS) IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING CONCURRENT CHEMORADIATION FOR HEAD AND NECK CANCERS

Abstract

Introduction: Chemoradiation is an important component in the management of Head and Neck Cancers, which has hearing loss as a major adverse effect. This is due to the inclusion of ear structures in the radiation field and Cisplatin, an anti-neoplastic drug which can cause ototoxicity. The role of audiological screening in the form of Pure Tone Audiometry and Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions is hereby studied in these patients. Material and Methods: The present study was undertaken to highlight the effects of concurrent chemoradiation on the audiological profile of Head and Neck Cancer patients. The patients underwent pre-treatment and post treatment Pure Tone Audiometry and Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission. The results were statistically analysed. Results: 36 patients who underwent concurrent chemoradiation for Head and Neck Cancers were enrolled. Post treatment PTA values were significantly different from Pre-treatment values especially at 500Hz. DPOAEs also indicated significant changes in cochleotoxicity grading after concurrent chemoradiation. Conclusion: Concurrent Chemoradiation exerts a significant effect on hearing status of the patients. Simple screening tests like DPOAE can detect cochlear damage prior to detection with Pure Tone Audiometry. Addition of these tests is recommended as routine screening during Concurrent Chemoradiation.