Hearing/vestibular problems, racial differences, and associations with physical function impairment among breast cancer survivors

Breast cancer survivors face many health challenges, including tinnitus, hearing loss, and vertigo which will grow with an aging population and improved treatment outcomes. However, the prevalence of hearing/vestibular problems, racial differences, and relationships to physical function are poorly characterized in breast cancer survivors.

Audiologists treating breast cancer survivors should be aware that this population has elevated rates of hearing loss, tinnitus, and vestibular problems — particularly if they received ototoxic (ear-damaging) chemotherapy — and that these issues may impair physical function, warranting proactive screening.

As cancer survivorship grows, understanding the hearing and balance burden in this population — including racial disparities — is essential for developing targeted audiology and rehabilitation referral pathways.

1. 01Examined prevalence of hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo (dizziness) in breast cancer survivors.
2. 02Analyzed racial differences in hearing/vestibular problem rates between survivor groups.
3. 03Assessed links between hearing/vestibular problems and physical function impairment.
4. 04Published in JNCI Cancer Spectrum, a peer-reviewed oncology journal.
5. 05Findings reinforce the need for audiologic screening protocols within cancer survivorship care.

PMID

42054586

DOI

10.1093/jncics/pkag047.

Journal

JNCI Cancer Spectrum

Publication type

research_article

Evidence level

3

Population

Breast cancer survivors, analyzed by race

Intervention

Observational assessment of hearing and vestibular problems

Comparator

Racial subgroup comparisons within survivor cohort