COVID-19 has some unusual symptoms such as dampening your sense of taste and smell. Indeed, loss of smell is often one of the first indications of infection. But COVID-19 impacts more than just your sense of taste and smell. New studies are uncovering an unusual, but longer-term problem: irreversible sensorineural hearing loss.
How is Hearing Loss Caused by COVID-19?
Scientists are discovering more about COVID-19 each day. But we’re really in the dark in a lot of ways. The virus itself was only first discovered late in 2019. Normally, scientists work for years, even decades, to fully describe a new pathogen. One thing we do know about COVID is that it impacts different people in countless different ways (making it an especially difficult and challenging nemesis).
You could experience a wide array of symptoms. And one of those symptoms is lasting hearing loss. Researchers still aren’t sure why that happens. It could be something known as “cellular stress” caused by the virus. According to this hypothesis, COVID places so much stress on your body that certain cells (like those responsible for hearing) start to break down. But your body’s own immune response might also be responsible for this type of hearing loss. Significant damage can be done to your body when your immune system overcompensates.
Also, when other COVID symptoms are going away, this hearing loss can still show up. The exact timing isn’t completely known. Nor do we have a good understanding of what kind of underlying circumstances might cause COVID-related hearing loss to be more or less likely to take place.
Is There Any Treatment For This Sort of Hearing Loss?
Sensorineural hearing loss triggered by COVID-19 can definitely be permanent. There may be some treatment options depending on specific variables. As a matter of fact, researchers have already recognized that steroid treatments seem to help safeguard your hearing, especially if you get early treatment. It’s essential to see a doctor right away if you experience sudden hearing loss.
Either way, once you’ve totally recovered from your COVID-19 situation, it might be a good plan to visit us and undergo a hearing examination.
There are a few qualifiers to all of this that should be pointed out. First and foremost, hearing loss does seem to be a fairly uncommon symptom of COVID. Right now, we’re not sure how common this symptom is. But as scientists discover more about COVID-19 the science will adjust.
Can You Avoid COVID-Related Hearing Loss?
If you have sudden changes in your hearing and you have COVID-19 get in touch with your doctor and schedule a hearing test with us. An early response might help reduce lasting hearing loss.
Try to avoid getting sick: Protecting yourself from contracting COVID-19 is the best way to prevent this type of hearing loss. So with regards to things like social distancing, social gatherings, and wearing a mask, stick to the guidelines.
This symptom does occur though it’s rare. And you will be substantially better off with more insight about hearing loss and COIVID. It’s a good decision to come in for a test if you think you’ve suffered hearing damage.