National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research (NCRAR)

Ototoxicity Monitoring Guidelines

What are the current guidelines for ototoxic monitoring?

AAA Guidelines
ASHA Guidelines 

• Current ASHA Ototoxicity Monitoring flowchart

Recommendations for ototoxicity surveillance for childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors

• Young adults or children treated with platinum-based drugs are more susceptible to hearing loss, especially those with head or neck radiation. Identifies who is at risk and how they should be monitored

The current guidelines for ototoxicity monitoring by AAA and ASHA suggest that the patient should be counseled before they begin treatment. This allows the patient to be aware of the potential effects such ototoxic drugs may have on their auditory system. Before treatment has begun it is recommended a pre-treatment baseline exam is done. While being treated with ototoxic medications patients should be monitored continuously. After the patient has finished their treatment, a post-treatment hearing exam should be conducted at 3 months and 12 months in order to ensure more hearing loss has not occurred. These guidelines are not set in stone, but should be followed as closely as possible, however if unable to so monitor those receiving ototoxic medications as much as possible. Of utmost importance in applying ototoxicity monitoring guidelines is creating a relationship with the nurses, physicians and other providers that prescribe or administer the ototoxic treatments. With the application of these guidelines together we can begin OMP programs all over the nation.

For more information about how to interpret these guidelines, refer to this helpful article: Applying U.S. national guidelines for ototoxicity monitoring in adult patients: Perspectives on patient populations, service gaps, barriers and solutions.