Efficiency of Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions as a Method for Ototoxicity Monitoring

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study is to describe hearing and auditory functional changes in patients receiving platinum-based treatments and to estimate the capacity of DPOAE and pure tone audiometry in evaluating ototoxicity as well as evaluating the risk factors of ototoxicity.Design: Standard pure tone audiometry at frequencies of 250-8000 Hz, and also at 12000 Hz and DPOAE recording were tested prior to starting chemotherapy and once again at the end of our program.Study sample: 56 patients receiving cisplatin and carboplatin were tested.Results: At the conventional frequencies, ototoxicity occurred in 6 (33%) of 18 patients who received cisplatin and in 12 (32%) of 38 carboplatin patients. Ototoxic hearing loss only at 12000 Hz occurred in 5 (28%) patients who received cisplatin and in 2 (5%) carboplatin patients. DPOAEs declined in 9 (75%) of 12 patients who received cisplatin and in 7 (44%) of 16 carboplatin patients. Increased dosage of platinum brought about hearing loss. Our study also investigated the initial hearing threshold as a risk factor for ototoxicity development. Conclusion:Ototoxicity monitoring ought to be an important and valuable option in patients being treated with chemotherapy.