COVID-19 and Hearing Loss
There are many different complications from COVID-19 and, as time goes on, we are beginning to see new consequences emerging. Hearing loss as a result of the virus is emerging as one of the latest, in addition to others such as lung damage, heart damage and neurological disorders. So, what do you need to know about hearing loss where COVID-19 is concerned?
Can the virus - or the vaccine - cause hearing loss?
There is a body of research that is currently investigating whether it’s possible for either the vaccine or the virus itself to leave people with hearing loss. So far, studies in both Israel and the US have found that there is no real evidence that the COVID vaccines leave anyone with hearing loss (most of those involved in the study received the Pfizer-BioTech mRNA vaccine). In terms of whether hearing loss could be related to the virus itself, the results there were slightly different.
COVID-19 and hearing loss
There is some evidence that sudden hearing loss has been one of the symptoms of the onset of the virus - but this has been rare. In any case, experiencing sudden hearing loss of any kind is an emergency symptom that you should always seek assistance for. What research has shown is more common is developing hearing-related problems, such as dizziness, tinnitus or hearing loss, later in the process of having the virus. In fact, 7.6% of those who had the virus reported developing hearing loss, 14.8% reported developing tinnitus and 7.2% reported vertigo.
How else does COVID affect the ears?
As mentioned, a number of those who have had the virus have reported going on to suffer with tinnitus. There is some evidence to support this, however, not enough to definitively prove a link. Stress can play a big part in tinnitus, which may have an influence when the body is under pressure from such a powerful virus - and ringing in the ears, in general, is quite common. Ear infections are another possible link between COVID and the ears. There are anecdotal reports, for example, that the Delta variation of the virus is much more likely to cause earaches because of the upper respiratory symptoms this can trigger and the pressure that can result on the ears.
More in-depth research is necessary
There is a clear lack of official research into the connection between COVID-19 and hearing loss, as well as problems such as tinnitus. There is also a clear basis for doing this, as one study found that 1 in 10 people who’d had the virus had self-reported symptoms such as tinnitus or hearing loss eight weeks later. There are also some obvious real life links, such as a 45 year old patient reported in the British Medical Journal in October 2020 as developing sudden hearing loss on becoming critically ill with COVID.
COVID-19 does seem to have the potential to cause hearing loss and hearing issues, although much more research is needed to definitively prove this. In the meantime, any hearing problems - especially sudden hearing loss - should always be quickly treated.
