Radiation and Hearing Loss?

Q: Can radiation to the head or neck lead to hearing loss?

A: Radiation is commonly used to treat patients with brain tumors or cancers on the head or neck. Because of the location of the ear, it and all of its components are often in the radiation field. Damage can occur to the outer ear, the ear canal, the ear drum and the space behind the ear drum, the cochlea, the auditory nerve and the auditory pathways.

Radiation induced hearing loss can be conductive, mixed or nerve in nature. A recent report stated that 40% of patients receiving head or neck radiation will experience acute complications to the middle ear system typically resulting in middle ear infection and Eustachian tube dysfunction. I would suggest that you have your hearing evaluated to determine if loss is due to an infection or nerve damage.