The Effect of Cancer Treatments on Speech Perception in Noise, Cognition, and Hearing-Related Quality of Life

Launched by TURKU UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL · Aug 11, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how cancer treatments affect patients' ability to understand speech in noisy environments, their thinking skills (cognition), and their overall quality of life related to hearing. The researchers will look at 200 cancer patients who are receiving standard treatment for their cancer. They want to find out if certain types of chemotherapy, like cisplatin or oxaliplatin, or radiation therapy in the head and neck area, impact these aspects of patients' lives.

To participate in this study, individuals must be native Finnish speakers aged between 65 and 74, with normal hearing for their age. They should have a diagnosis of cancer that will be treated with the mentioned therapies. Participants will be asked to give informed consent, meaning they understand the study and agree to take part. It’s important to know that certain conditions, like previous serious ear problems or severe hearing loss, may prevent someone from joining the trial. Those who qualify will help researchers learn more about the side effects of cancer treatments and how they can improve support for patients dealing with these challenges.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • written informed consent
• • native Finnish speaker
• • age-normative hearing
• • for participants in the treatment arms: diagnosis of a malignancy that will be treated with curative intent with any of the following: 1) Cisplatin as the main chemotherapeutic agent, 2) oxaliplatin as the main chemotherapeutic agent, 3) cisplatin-based chemoradiation therapy in the head and neck region, 4) radiation therapy in the head and neck region
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • inability to provide written informed consent
• • Current or prior major otological condition that has affected or has had the potential to affect hearing
• • Conductive or asymmetric sensorineural HL of any severity
• • Severe sensorineural HL
• • Prior malignancy treated with chemotherapeutics or radiation therapy
• • Prior use of ototoxic medications
• • Any significant disease or disorder which, in the opinion of the investigator, may either put the subject at risk by participation in the trial, or may influence the result of the trial.
• • Any condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would interfere with adherence to the trial requirements.
• For participants in the treatment arms:
• • Allergy or hypersensitivity to trial medications or their ingredients
• • Pregnancy or breast-feeding, aim of becoming pregnant during the trial.