Analysis of hearing loss due to cis-diamminedichloroplatinum-II

The difference in the hearing threshold before and after treatment with cis-diaminnedichloroplatinum (DDP) is analysed in 69 patients. Hearing loss due to DDP treatment is mainly limited to 8,000 Hz and the incidence is about 40%. The effect of DDP is dose-related, although even at the lowest dose 20% of the patients are affected. The age of the patients is not an important factor. Loss of hearing due to DDP treatment occurs independent of any pre-existent hearing loss although those patients with great pre-existent hearing loss do not show a further loss. Of the patients with hearing loss, 39% show a difference of 20 dB or more between the left and the right ear. Hearing loss due to DDP is of minor importance compared with many of the other side-effects of DDP.