Why does chemo cause hearing loss

г. The chemotherapy drug cisplatin is an effective cancer treatment for many children with cancer, but unfortunately it can cause permanent. Causes of Hearing Loss · Certain chemotherapy medicines, especially platinum drugs such as cisplatin and carboplatin · Radiation to the ear, brain, nose, throat. г. As chemotherapy starts to cause hearing problems, you may have to turn up the TV volume more often. Hearing loss usually affects both ears, but.