Question

Explain why an individual might experience hearing loss after taking the alkylating chemotherapy drug - Cisplatin

a) It directly attacks the auditory nerves
b) It causes a buildup of earwax
c) It damages the inner ear cells
d) It increases blood pressure in the ear canal

Answer 1

Cisplatin can cause hearing loss by damaging the inner ear cells responsible for converting sound vibrations into electrical signals.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer is c) It damages the inner ear cells. Cisplatin is an alkylating chemotherapy drug commonly used to treat cancer. It works by damaging the DNA in cancer cells, preventing their replication and growth. However, Cisplatin can also damage healthy cells, including the hair cells in the inner ear. Hair cells are responsible for converting sound vibrations into electrical signals that the brain can interpret as sound. When these cells are damaged, hearing loss can occur. This form of hearing loss is known as sensorineural hearing loss, and while hearing aids may help in partially compensating for the loss, in cases where the damage is severe, a cochlear implant that directly stimulates the auditory nerve may be recommended.