Extended high-frequency ototoxicity induced by the first administration of cisplatin.

The ototoxicity induced by cisplatin results in high-frequency hearing loss. The sound-pressure thresholds at extended high frequencies of 8 to 20 kHz were measured in 12 patients with head and neck cancer before and after the first administration of cisplatin. Ototoxicity was defined statistically by the newly introduced regression-line analysis. This analysis revealed that the threshold of 1 of the 12 patients increased evenly from 8 to 10 kHz, and the damage to the hearing system of this patient was permanent. The reasons for such a low rate of ototoxicity might be the long-term administration of low doses of cisplatin and the addition of fosfomycin.