Is Hearing Loss a Common Symptom of Stomach Cancer?

Hearing loss is not a common or typical symptom of stomach (gastric) cancer itself. Most stomach cancer symptoms involve the digestive system such as abdominal discomfort, indigestion, early fullness, loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea/vomiting, trouble swallowing, black stool, and fatigue. These can worsen in advanced stages or when cancer spreads, but hearing loss is not listed among the usual presentations. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

However, hearing loss can occur during or after certain cancer treatments, especially with specific chemotherapy drugs known to affect the inner ear (ototoxicity). This distinction is important for recognizing when hearing changes need prompt evaluation and management. ^{[4] [5]}

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Typical Stomach Cancer Symptoms

• Digestive complaints: indigestion, heartburn, nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain (usually above the belly button), early satiety (feeling full quickly). ^{[1] [2]}
• Nutritional and systemic signs: decreased appetite, unexplained weight loss, fatigue/weakness, blood in stool or black stool. ^{[2] [3]}
• Advanced signs: trouble swallowing, vomiting after meals, jaundice if the liver is involved, anemia, persistent ulcer, ascites (fluid buildup). ^{[6] [7]}

These symptom patterns help distinguish typical stomach cancer manifestations from unrelated issues like hearing loss. ^[8]

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Why Hearing Loss Can Happen in Cancer Care

Ototoxicity from Chemotherapy

• Cisplatin, a widely used chemotherapy (including in some gastric and esophageal regimens), can injure the inner ear, leading to tinnitus (ringing), high‑frequency hearing loss (4–8 kHz), and sometimes difficulty hearing normal conversation. Effects may be unilateral or bilateral and can begin during treatment or after. Severity increases with cumulative dosing, and reversibility is uncertain. ^{[5] [9] [10]}
• Ototoxicity risk may be higher when combined with other kidney‑toxic drugs like aminoglycoside antibiotics, which can exacerbate inner ear damage. Monitoring for symptoms is advised. ^{[11] [12]}
• Hearing loss from cisplatin is generally irreversible, while tinnitus may be reversible in some cases. Baseline hearing issues can increase vulnerability. ^[13]

Radiation and Other Medications

• Radiation near the head/neck and certain medications (e.g., very high-dose salicylates, some antimalarials, loop diuretics) can temporarily or permanently affect hearing by impacting the cochlea (inner ear). ^[14]
• Cancer programs often include audiology services because treatment-related hearing changes are relatively common across oncology, even if not specific to stomach cancer. ^{[4] [15] [16]}

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Less Common Cancer-Related Causes

• Paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes can rarely affect auditory pathways, but this is unusual in gastric cancer and not part of the routine symptom profile. Practical evaluation should first focus on treatment-related ototoxicity and other common non-cancer causes (aging, noise exposure, ear infections). ^{[1] [2]}

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When to Suspect Treatment-Related Hearing Loss

• New ringing in the ears, difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds (like birds or consonants), trouble following conversations, or imbalance beginning during chemotherapy cycles or soon after. These are classic ototoxicity signals that warrant timely assessment. ^{[5] [13]}

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How Hearing Loss Is Evaluated

• Baseline and follow-up audiometry (formal hearing tests) are recommended when starting ototoxic agents and if symptoms arise, to track changes and guide therapy decisions. ^{[11] [12]}
• Review of current medications, cumulative chemotherapy dose, kidney function, and co-exposures (e.g., loud noise, ototoxic antibiotics) helps pinpoint the cause and reduce further risk. ^{[5] [11]}

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Management and Prevention Strategies

During Cancer Treatment

• Report ear symptoms early (tinnitus, muffled hearing, difficulty with conversations). Early reporting allows dose adjustments, schedule changes, or considering alternative regimens when clinically feasible. ^{[5] [13]}
• Audiology monitoring: periodic tests during cisplatin therapy can catch early shifts in hearing, enabling protective changes. ^{[11] [12]}
• Minimize additive risks: avoid or limit other ototoxic drugs when possible; manage kidney function carefully since nephrotoxicity can worsen ototoxic effects. ^{[11] [17]}

Supportive Care

• Hearing aids and assistive devices: amplification, frequency transposition, and communication tools improve daily function and quality of life. Specialized cancer‑center audiology teams provide tailored rehabilitation plans. ^{[4] [15] [16]}
• Tinnitus management: sound therapy, counseling, and coping strategies may help if ringing persists; tinnitus is sometimes reversible even when hearing loss is not. ^[13]
• Safety and communication tips: reduce background noise, face the speaker, use captioning services, and consider workplace or home accommodations.

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Red Flags That Need Prompt Attention

• Sudden one‑sided hearing loss, severe tinnitus, or vertigo starting during cisplatin therapy. Immediate contact with the oncology team and audiology evaluation is advisable because early action may limit progression. ^{[5] [9]}

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Bottom Line

• Hearing loss is not a common symptom of stomach cancer itself, but it is a recognized side effect of certain treatments most notably cisplatin chemotherapy. Early recognition, routine audiology monitoring, and coordinated care with oncology can help reduce risk and manage changes effectively. ^{[1] [2] [5] [11] [4] [15]}