Ototoxicity monitoring in South African cancer facilities: A national survey.
Katerina Ehlert, Barbara Heinze, De Wet Swanepoel
PMID 35144440WHAT IT FOUND
South African cancer facilities rarely provided systematic ototoxicity monitoring for platinum chemotherapy.
Patients were evaluated only after complaints or self-referral. Protocol knowledge was poor, and baseline and vestibular checks were uncommon.
Key findings
01Ototoxicity monitoring was not standard practice in surveyed oncology units; patients were referred only when they had complaints or had to arrange hearing evaluation themselves.
02No oncology units reported knowledge of ototoxicity monitoring protocols, and 86% of audiology referral clinics reported no knowledge of best-practice guidelines.
03Although baseline testing was rated important, audiology referral clinics reported that only 29% of oncology patients received baseline assessments, and vestibular assessments were included for 14.1% at baseline and 0.0% during serial monitoring.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The questionnaire response was low: 26 questionnaires were completed, but only 19 met inclusion criteria. Some oncology units did not perform ototoxicity monitoring and did not consent to complete the questionnaire, so the questionnaire sample may underrepresent facilities with no monitoring. For some multi-branch oncology units, responses were obtained from only one branch. The survey relied on professional reports and a single questionnaire attempt, not direct observation or patient records. No patient outcomes were measured, so the paper cannot show whether monitoring improves hearing, tinnitus, balance, or quality of life. Vestibular and protocol details were reported only by 7 audiology referral clinics. The findings are from South African public and private facilities and may not apply to other health systems.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as evidence that a national protocol or smartphone audiometry improves hearing outcomes. It reports professionals' practices and perceptions, not patient outcomes.