The Effect of Radiation Therapy on Hearing in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer

Background: Head and neck cancers (HNCs) often require radiotherapy (RT), which can cause radiation-induced hearing loss (RIHL) due to damage to auditory structures. Radiation-induced hearing loss (RIHL) may involve sensorineural (SNHL), conductive (CHL), or mixed mechanisms, impacting quality of life, yet it remains understudied.Aim: To study the frequency of (SNHL) and (CHL) in patients receiving radiotherapy for head and neck malignancies and to ascertain the pattern of hearing loss in various frequencies. And to study the relation between radiation dose and the degree of hearing loss.Patients and methods: The study was a prospective observational study conducted on 30 patients of histopathologically proven head and neck malignancy admitted to EL-Hussein and Bab EL-Sharia hospitals. This research was performed in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Clinical Oncology, Al-Azher University Hospitals (EL-Hussein and Bab EL-Sharia Hospitals).Results: Mean age 49.4 years; 60% male, 70% smokers. Significant post-RT increases in air/bone conduction thresholds (p