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Hearing screening and amplifier uptake results in a multidisciplinary head and neck cancer survivorship clinic

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Journal of Cancer Survivorship Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Hearing loss and tinnitus are prevalent among survivors of head and neck cancer (HNC), but auditory issues are under-addressed in the survivorship literature. The purpose of this study was to describe the hearing loss and management experience of a group of survivors provided with a hearing screening and amplifier assistance if needed during their visit.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of 1176 individuals seen in the HNC Survivorship Clinic between December 2016 and October 2020 who interacted with audiology was performed.

Results

Of these survivors, 72% failed the 30-dB HL hearing screening at one or more frequencies. Thirty-three percent of the sample reported tinnitus. Consistent with the general population, this group has a low prevalence of hearing aid use. In this clinic, individuals who fail the hearing screening at all frequencies are offered a simple, non-custom amplifier for use during their visit. Thirty-one percent of individuals offered the amplifier used it during their Survivorship Clinic visit to enhance communication and reduce listening effort. Only 54% of individuals who failed the hearing screening self-reported hearing loss. The poor sensitivity and specificity associated with the self-perception of hearing loss data support the need for hearing screening that consists of responding to tones. Of individuals who received a recommendation for a comprehensive hearing test, 21% received a hearing test with 68% of these individuals receiving the hearing test the same day of their Survivorship Clinic visit.

Conclusions

The data from 1176 survivors of HNC seen by audiology over the past few years as part of the UPMC HNC Survivorship Clinic support the need for hearing management in this population to improve communication during and after the Survivorship Clinic visit.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Survivors of HNC have a high prevalence of greater than mild hearing loss and tinnitus (both issues known to negatively impact health-related communication and quality of life). This manuscript describes a hearing screening program within a Survivorship Clinic that identifies individuals in need of non-custom amplification during their appointment to support effective communication. Survivors should be referred to audiologists for evaluation and management of treatment-related issues of hearing.

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Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Code availability

N/A.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge the survivors and their families who participate in the Head & Neck Cancer Survivorship Clinic at UPMC. They are generous with their time and communication to help us create the best possible care. We also appreciate all of the health care providers and support staff who make this clinical activity possible.

Funding

Beckwith Institute provided financial support.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. UPMC, 203 Lothrop St., 4th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA

    Lori Zitelli, Catherine Palmer, Elizabeth Mamula, Jonas Johnson & Marci L. Nilsen

  2. University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Lori Zitelli, Catherine Palmer, Jonas Johnson & Marci L. Nilsen

  3. Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA

    Grant Rauterkus

Authors
  1. Lori Zitelli
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  2. Catherine Palmer
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  6. Marci L. Nilsen
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Contributions

Lori Zitelli, Marci Nilsen, Elizabeth Mamula, and Jonas Johnson all participated in data acquisition, interpretation of data, writing, and revising of the manuscript. Catherine Palmer and Lori Zitelli participated in data analysis. Catherine Palmer and Grant Rauterkus participated in the data interpretation, writing, and revising of the manuscript. All authors had full access to all data and are accountable for study findings and reporting.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lori Zitelli.

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Ethics approval

This study was approved by University of Pittsburgh Human Research Protection Office Institutional Review Board (STUDY20090103).

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This study has IRB approval for a retrospective review and reporting of aggregate data.

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This study has IRB approval for a retrospective review and reporting of aggregate data.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

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Zitelli, L., Palmer, C., Mamula, E. et al. Hearing screening and amplifier uptake results in a multidisciplinary head and neck cancer survivorship clinic. J Cancer Surviv 17, 720–728 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-022-01198-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-022-01198-9

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