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

When you’re fighting cancer, the last thing you want is for your treatment to damage your hearing. cisplatin, a platinum-based chemotherapy drug used to treat testicular, ovarian, lung, and other cancers is powerful — but it’s also one of the most common causes of ototoxicity, hearing damage caused by medications. Unlike nausea or fatigue, cisplatin hearing damage doesn’t always show up right away. It can creep in slowly, starting with trouble hearing high-pitched sounds — like birds chirping or children’s voices — and get worse over time. Once the damage is done, it’s often permanent.

This isn’t just a side effect you have to live with. ototoxicity from cisplatin affects up to 60% of adults and even more children, especially those getting high doses or repeated cycles. The risk goes up if you’re older, already have hearing loss, or are taking other drugs that harm the ears, like certain antibiotics or loop diuretics. Your kidneys also play a role — if they’re not clearing cisplatin well, more of it stays in your system and hits your inner ear. And here’s the catch: you might not notice the problem until it’s advanced. That’s why hearing tests before, during, and after treatment aren’t optional — they’re essential.

There’s no magic pill to stop cisplatin from damaging your hearing, but there are ways to reduce the risk. Staying well-hydrated helps your body flush out the drug faster. Some clinics now use protective agents like sodium thiosulfate, which can shield the inner ear without reducing cisplatin’s cancer-fighting power. Avoid loud noises during treatment, and let your doctor know right away if you start ringing in your ears or feel like sounds are muffled. Even small changes in hearing can be early warning signs.

Below, you’ll find real patient stories, clinical insights, and practical advice from people who’ve been through this. Some share how they managed hearing loss after chemo. Others talk about the tests that caught the damage early. And a few explain why speaking up to your oncology team made all the difference. This isn’t just about drugs — it’s about protecting something you can’t replace: your ability to hear the people you love.