Impact of cisplatin-induced hearing loss (CIHL) on patient-reported social and emotional functioning.
Authors: Sanchez Victoria , Shuey Megan , Dinh Paul C. , Monahan Patrick , Sesso Howard D. , Dolan Mary Eileen , Fossa Sophie D. , Einhorn Lawrence H. , Vaughn David J. , Martin Neil E. , Fung Chunkit , Frisina Robert D. , Travis Lois B. 
Published: June 2022

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Background: Cisplatin is one of the most commonly used ototoxic drugs, but no study has quantified the handicap imposed by CIHL in U.S. adult-onset cancer survivors. Identification of survivors with high degrees of handicap and related risk factors is vital, as hearing loss (HL) in the general population is strongly related to adverse health outcomes, including cognitive decline, dementia, and poor mental health and social well-being. Methods: Eligible testicular cancer survivors (TCS) (age < 60 y at diagnosis, given first line cisplatin) completed comprehensive health surveys, including the validated 25-item Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults (HHIA). HHIA quantifies emotional (13 items) and social difficulties (12 items) related to HL; for each scale (0-100%), based on their responses, TCS were grouped into 3 handicap levels: 0-16% (none/minimal), 17-42% (mild/moderate), and 43-100% (significant) following HHIA recommendations. A Spearman correlation evaluated the associations between increasing HL severity and HHIA group. The association between HL and reported cognitive dysfunction was evaluated by a logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, income, education, yrs since therapy, cisplatin dose, BMI, smoking, and hypertension, with results presented as OR[CI], p-value. Results: Among 213 TCS [median age at evaluation, 46 y (IQR: 38-52 y); median time since cisplatin completion, 10.6 y (IQR: 6.8-16.6 y)], CIHL was reported by 127 TCS (60%). Of TCS with CIHL, 31% reported some degree of related handicap (for total HHIA scale: 13% TCS and 18% TCS reporting mild/moderate and significant handicap, respectively). HL severity was significantly correlated with handicap level in all domains (social, ρ = 0.85, p <.001; emotional, ρ = 0.72, p <.001; and total, ρ = 0.81, p <.001). Cognitive dysfunction was more commonly reported by TCS with CIHL than TCS without (35% and 22%, p =.049). HL was a significant independent predictor of cognitive dysfunction, 2.20 [1.09-4.47], p =.028. Since many patients with HL in the general population report tinnitus (TINN), and TINN may suggest a worse HL phenotype, we additionally adjusted for TINN severity and found a significant independent association for TINN and cognitive dysfunction, 1.49 [1.05-2.11], p = 0.027. Despite these outcomes, only 10% of TCS with HL used hearing aids (n = 13). Conclusions: After cisplatin chemotherapy, 60% TCS report CIHL, and TCS with CIHL report poorer social and emotional function. One in 5 TCS with CIHL reported significant overall handicap. Despite these outcomes, the low prevalence of hearing aid use suggests a potential clinical intervention that could improve social and emotional well-being. If confirmed, the possible association between CIHL with TINN and cognitive dysfunction may be of particular interest, as the Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention (2020) identified untreated HL as a key modifiable risk factor.