Get Involved with No-Shave November

November is upon us and moustaches are officially cool again! It’s that time of the year when everyone embraces their inner hipster in support of an amazing cause.

The Movember Foundation has been urging people to start a conversation about men’s health since 2003. “Our fathers, partners, brothers and friends are facing a health crisis that isn’t being talked about. Men are dying too young. We can’t afford to stay silent.”

Men and women, also known as Mo Bros and Mo Sistas, who have committed to take action grow their facial hair to raise awareness. Lyn and I make it a priority to participate every year and really commit for the next 30 days. When you make this pledge, your moustache ultimately becomes a billboard that highlights issues such as prostate and testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention.

As we celebrate Movember, we also want to shine a light on the correlation between cancer treatments and hearing loss. While many people are unaware of this side effect, studies have shown that some cancer treatments may cause damage to the inner ear, also called ototoxicity.

Chemotherapy drugs such as Cisplatin (Platinol), Carboplatin (Paraplatin) and Mechlorethamine (Mustargen) have been known to cause hearing problems especially when administered in high doses. There are other drugs that may add to hearing loss including pain, diuretics, anti-nausea and heart and blood pressure medications. In some cases, the loss can be permanent or they tend to fade away after treatments.

While chemotherapy and radiation treatments have become more successful in recent years, they can also seriously affect a patient’s quality of life. Some of our patients have confessed that this is one of the hardest thing they’ve had to face. Communication with your friends and family becomes extremely challenging. Connecting with everyone is frustrating when you can’t hear. And these can result to isolation, anger and even anxiety and depression.

There are research studies being conducted to find new techniques to control this side effect. If you or anyone you know are experiencing any abnormal sounds, as well as any balance issues or dizziness, please notify your doctor right away. And Kirsch Audiology is always here to help you.

We urge you to join this important campaign in making a difference. Sign up, help fundraise and start talking. Together, we can all help change the face of men’s health.

We’d love to see you guys’ moustache this month. Tag us at @KirschAud on Facebook or comment below and tell us how you’re rocking Movember this year!