Which chemotherapy drug is known for causing hearing loss?

Cisplatin is recognized for its potential ototoxic effects, which can lead to hearing loss in patients undergoing treatment. This cisplatin-induced hearing loss is attributed to its impact on the cochlea, specifically damaging the hair cells that are critical for hearing. The risk of ototoxicity varies among individuals and can be influenced by factors such as the total dose of the drug administered, the duration of treatment, and concomitant use of other ototoxic medications.

In clinical practice, the audiological evaluation of patients receiving cisplatin is a vital component of patient management, as early detection of hearing impairment can lead to timely interventions. This understanding is particularly significant for patients who may already be at risk of hearing loss due to prior exposure to noise or previous chemotherapy regimens.

While other chemotherapy drugs listed can have their own side effects, they are not primarily associated with hearing loss in the way that cisplatin is. Therefore, cisplatin is highlighted for its unique risk profile regarding ototoxicity.