
Persistent Ear Blockage or Hearing Loss: Could It Be NPC?
About this episode
In this episode, we explore how persistent ear blockage or hearing loss may sometimes be linked to nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC), a rare cancer that develops behind the nose and near the ears.
You’ll learn:
- What is nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC), and where does it develop
- How NPC can block the Eustachian tube and cause ear fullness or hearing loss
- Why one-sided hearing changes should not be ignored
- The connection between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and NPC
- Common warning signs, including neck lumps, nosebleeds, headaches, and facial numbness
- How doctors use CT scans, MRI scans, and biopsies to diagnose NPC
- The role of radiation therapy in treating nasopharyngeal cancer
- How chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy may be used in treatment plans
- Why combined treatment approaches can improve cancer control
- The importance of follow-up care, imaging, and symptom monitoring after treatment
- When persistent ear symptoms should be evaluated by a specialist
Most ear blockage and hearing loss cases are harmless, but symptoms that last for weeks should never be ignored. Early diagnosis and specialist-guided care can improve treatment outcomes and support long-term recovery.
Blog Link: Persistent ear blockage or hearing loss: Could it be NPC?
Thank you for listening to The Onco Life Podcast, your trusted source for expert cancer information and patient-centered education.
Author: Dr. CHRISTINA NG VAN TZE
📍 Visit us at oncolifecentre.com
📞 Call: +60 3 2242 3260
📧 Book a consultation or ask a question — we're here to support your journey.
Get every episode summarized
Each time The Onco Life Podcast publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from The Onco Life Podcast

Cervical Cancer Screening in Malaysia: HPV Tests and Pap Smears
The Onco Life Podcast

What Happens During a Cancer Biopsy and What to Expect
The Onco Life Podcast

ASCO Breast Cancer Guidance: When Is Hormone Therapy Enough?
The Onco Life Podcast

Liver Cancer Screening for Hepatitis B Carriers in Malaysia
The Onco Life Podcast