Evaluation of Otoprotective Effect of Antioxidant Supplementation With Vitamin E on Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Patients Treated With Cisplatin Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

AIMS AND OBJECTIVESThe objective of this study evaluation of otoprotective effect of antioxidant supplementation with Vitamin E on Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL) in patients treated with cisplatin Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC). METHODSThe study comprised of audiological evaluation of 60 patients prior to and at the completion of treatment using pure tone audiometry. RESULTSAt the end of 6 weeks, incidence of SNHL found to be 65.38% seen in patients who have not received Vitamin E supplement as compared to incidence of 10% seen in patients treated with CRT along with Vitamin E seen at higher frequencies and significant otoprotection offered by Vitamin E supplement was observed at 8kHz. DISCUSSIONThe possible mechanism for hearing loss are discussed and compared with the result of such studies in literature. CONCLUSIONThere is definitive benefit of oral Vitamin E supplement in preventing this hearing loss, more so at higher frequencies.