Understanding Gliomas and Their Impact on Vision and Hearing
- Gliomas can develop in different areas of the brain, including regions responsible for processing sight and sound.
- Depending on their location, gliomas can affect a person’s ability to see or hear, potentially leading to symptoms such as blurred vision, double vision, hearing difficulties, or even loss of these senses.
- Some interventions, like surgery, can help restore lost or effected senses. Though others, like radiation, may impact them more.
- Occupational and physical therapy can help patients dealing with these issues.
- It’s important to speak with your doctor about any new symptoms or side effects so a plan to address and protect hearing and vision can be made.
“Usually when the disease presents itself, it’s because the patient has some type of symptoms,” Dr. Samuel Jean-Baptiste, a radiation oncologist at University of Florida Health, tells SurvivorNet. “It’s important to know that for the symptoms, you can undergo some type of therapy for them.”
Read MoreHow Do Gliomas Affect Vision and Hearing?
Gliomas can occur anywhere in the brain, but when they develop near critical sensory areas, they may interfere with normal function.- Vision: The occipital lobe, located at the back of the brain, is responsible for processing visual information. A glioma in this region can cause blurry vision, blind spots, or difficulty recognizing objects and colors.
- Hearing: The temporal lobe, found on the sides of the brain near the ears, plays a crucial role in processing sounds and understanding speech. A tumor in this area may lead to hearing loss, difficulty understanding words, or tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
What Tests Can Be Done to Assess My Senses?
If a glioma is located near or affecting your vision or hearing, your doctor may recommend specialized tests to evaluate how well these senses are functioning.
Vision Tests may include:
- Visual Acuity Test: Measures how clearly you can see letters or objects at different distances
- Visual Field Test: Determines if you have blind spots or areas of reduced vision
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): Uses light waves to create detailed images of the retina and optic nerve
- Fundoscopic Exam: A doctor examines the back of the eye (retina) for signs of swelling or damage
- MRI or CT Scans: These imaging tests help determine if a glioma is affecting areas responsible for vision
Hearing Tests may include:
- Pure-Tone Audiometry: Measures your ability to hear different tones and frequencies
- Speech Recognition Test: Evaluates your ability to hear and understand spoken words
- Tympanometry: Assesses the function of the eardrum and middle ear
- Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR): Measures how sound signals travel from the ear to the brain
- MRI or CT Scans: These imaging studies check if a glioma is pressing on or affecting the auditory pathways
Preventing Hearing or Vision Loss
While gliomas can sometimes impact sensory functions, there are steps you and your healthcare team can take to reduce the risk of permanent damage.
“When the patient presents with vision issues, usually the neurosurgeon, if they can resect the area [remove the tumor with surgery], they resect it,” Dr. Jean-Baptiste explains. “And if possible, it depends on what’s affected, some of the vision might come back.”
Medical and Surgical Approaches
If surgery is necessary, neurosurgeons use advanced imaging techniques and intraoperative monitoring to protect critical vision and hearing pathways.
Some treatments, like radiation, can affect the eyes and ears, so your doctor will tailor a plan to minimize risks.
These may help reduce inflammation around the tumor that could be compressing sensory nerves.
“Sometimes the tumor is right next to the part of the brain that’s very important for hearing, and sometimes, we can’t avoid giving some [radiation] dose to that area because otherwise we would not be treating the tumor … the patient’s hearing might not disappear right away but it might gradually get worse over time over months or years,” Dr. Jean-Baptiste explains.
Occupational and physical therapy can help patients dealing with these issues, Dr. Jean-Baptiste adds.
Lifestyle and Supportive Care
After you are diagnosed with glioma, there are steps you can take to monitor and care for your vision and hearing.
These include:
- Regular Monitoring: Frequent eye exams and hearing tests can catch early changes before they become severe.
- Healthy Diet: Nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A, C, and E, and zinc can support eye and ear health.
- Avoiding Loud Noises: Protect your hearing by minimizing exposure to loud sounds and using hearing protection when necessary.
- Managing Other Health Conditions: Conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure can worsen eye and ear health, so keeping them under control is important.
- Rehabilitation Therapies: Occupational therapy, visual rehabilitation, or hearing aids may help improve quality of life if some loss occurs.
Report Any Changes or Symptoms
If you experience any new or worsening symptoms, it is essential to act quickly. Early intervention can often prevent further damage or help manage symptoms effectively.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience sudden or gradual changes, such as:
- Blurred or double vision
- Difficulty recognizing objects
- Hearing loss or muffled sounds
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Difficulty understanding speech
Your doctor may refer you to an ophthalmologist (eye specialist) or audiologist (hearing specialist) for further evaluation.
If changes are detected, adjustments to your treatment may help slow or reverse some effects. Glasses, magnifiers, hearing aids, or cochlear implants may improve your ability to see and hear.
Coping with changes in vision or hearing can be challenging. Support groups, counseling, and rehabilitation programs can also help you adjust and maintain independence.
Gliomas affecting the brain’s visual or auditory processing areas can pose challenges, but early detection and proactive management can make a significant difference. By understanding the risks, undergoing regular testing, and working closely with your healthcare team, you can take steps to preserve your vision and hearing for as long as possible. If you notice any changes, don’t wait—seek medical advice promptly to ensure the best possible outcome for your health and quality of life.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
- Are there steps we can take to protect my hearing and vision?
- What side effects should I look for after treatment?
- What are the risks vs. benefits of my treatment plan?
- How will I be monitored after treatment?
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