Links between Hearing Loss & COVID-19

As we’ve all seen in this past year, COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus, has spread across the world leaving many of us unwilling to be in crowded public spaces.  

Aside from being incredibly contagious and fatal for patients with pre-existing conditions and comorbidities, the virus has now been linked to many long-term complications, including heart damage, lung damage and neurological disorders. Now many otologists are finding that coronavirus can also affect the ears leaving patients with irreversible hearing loss and tinnitus in its wake.

Viruses, Infections and Hearing Loss

Viral infections can impact the auditory nerve in the cochlea, blood vessels in the ear, or other parts of the body that are linked to hearing. Damage can be directly to the inner ear, or cause a susceptibility to bacterial or fungal infections, which can further instigate hearing loss.

Several common infections, which affect the inner ear, include Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Rubella (CRS) or Measles. These infections can cause sudden hearing loss, which is the unexpected decline of hearing, usually starting in one ear and developing suddenly or over a matter of hours. While older versions of coronaviruses such as SARS or MERS did not typically find patients dealing with hearing loss researchers are finding that the COVID-19 virus is leaving hearing loss in its wake.

Coronavirus and Sudden Hearing Loss

A June 2020 study reported patients in Iran suffering from hearing loss in one ear (unilateral hearing loss) as well as vertigo. Another report, which needs further study, reported on an instance of a person suffering from sudden hearing loss with no other symptoms of COVID-19 later testing positive for the virus. These studies require more research as the knowledge of this virus is ever evolving as we scramble to fully understand its impact.

Hearing Loss as a Complication of Coronavirus Infection

Researchers have found that hearing loss has not been a common symptom of COVID-19 on the onset. However many studies have tracked the loss of hearing in COVID-19 patients much later after the worst part of the virus had passed. A medical journal recorded the case of a 45-year-old British man who developed devastating tinnitus and sudden hearing loss after seemingly recovering from COVID-19.

While this individual instance does not build a case for direct damage to the inner ears from the virus it is under suspect as a serious but rare side effect of the virus. The good news is the patient was able to recover from their tinnitus after steroid treatment. What to take from this evolving research is, that if you unexpectedly experience hearing loss in one ear or a severe case of tinnitus it is wise to contact a medical professional immediately to see if your symptoms warrant further medical care. The Authors of the study stated  "We suggest that patients are asked about hearing loss in [intensive care] when applicable, and any patient reporting acute hearing loss should be referred to otolaryngology on an emergency basis," 

COVID-19 and the Auditory System

While instances of damage to the auditory system seem to be rare, a survey from Brittan reported that about 1 out of 10 coronavirus patients self-reported either hearing loss or tinnitus 8 weeks after the virus left their system. There are of course many other factors, which could cause the hearing loss including medications taken to combat the virus or even stress from this very serious illness, which is a major factor in dealing with tinnitus. The good news is that it seems that this strain of coronavirus does not seem to directly impact the ears in most instances. A small Israeli study examined 16 patients, half that suffered from the coronavirus and half that did not. The researcher found no difference in the two groups when exploring the auditory nerve!

More Research Needed

While it is clear that more research is needed before we can understand the devastating effects of COVID-19 on our ears and entire body, it seems that in early tests that sudden hearing loss and tinnitus do not seem to be a uniform side effect of the virus. This gives us hope; however if you do suffer from sudden hearing loss before or after COVID-19, contact your doctor immediately

If you are concerned about your hearing health, we’re here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive hearing health services.