Hearing/vestibular problems, racial differences, and associations with physical function impairment among breast cancer survivors

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer survivors face many health challenges, including tinnitus, hearing loss, and vertigo which will grow with an aging population and improved treatment outcomes. However, the prevalence of hearing/vestibular problems, racial differences, and relationships to physical function are poorly characterized in breast cancer survivors. METHODS: Between July and September 2023, we surveyed the Chicago Multiethnic Epidemiologic Breast Cancer Cohort. Tinnitus, hearing loss, and vertigo were self-reported and verified through electronic health records. Physical function impairment was measured using the SF-36 10-item instrument. We fit logistic regression models for hearing/vestibular problems and linear regression models for physical function score, controlling for sociodemographic and clinical factors. RESULTS: Of 1,466 breast cancer survivors (mean [SD] age, 63.5 [11.8] years), 16.6%, 17.3%, and 8.6% reported experiencing tinnitus, hearing loss, and vertigo, respectively. Black survivors had lower odds of hearing loss (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.51; 95% CI, 0.31-0.86) but greater odds of vertigo (AOR, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.34-3.89) than White survivors. Survivors with hearing/vestibular problems had higher average impairment scores (worse physical function) than those without. In the adjusted regression models, survivors who reported experiencing tinnitus (β, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.10-1.43), hearing loss (β, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.06-1.40), or vertigo (β, 1.70; 95% CI, 0.81-2.58) had a higher level of physical function impairment. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates racial differences in hearing/vestibular problems and associations between these problems and physical function impairment. Survivorship programs should consider routine screening and interventions to improve hearing health and physical function among breast cancer survivors.