Treatment of head and neck cancers is based on many schemes, and in the case of radiochemotherapy, the main side effect impacting a patient's quality of life is hypoacusis. Its prevention and analysis are consequently essential.

A total of 118 patients who underwent chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy received follow-up care with audiometric tests. Corticosteroid therapy began during the treatment.

At the end of the radiochemotherapy cycles and after corticosteroid therapy, 58 % of patients recovered 40 dB on average, and 42 % achieved total resolution of hypoacusis.

Prevention of the side effects of anticancer therapies is a major issue, and our study revealed the potential ability of corticosteroids to act as otoprotective drugs.