COVID-19 has some unusual symptoms like dampening your sense of taste and smell. We know that one of the first signs is loss of the sense of smell. But your sense of smell and taste aren’t the only sense impacted by COVID-19. Sensorineural hearing loss is an uncommon and long-term issue according to new studies.
How Can COVID-19 Cause Hearing Loss?
Scientists are learning more about COVID-19 every single day. But we’re truly in the dark in a lot of ways. 2019 is when the virus was first discovered. Normally, scientists work for years, even decades, to completely identify a new pathogen. One thing we do know about COVID is that it impacts different people in many different ways (making it a particularly difficult and challenging problem).
You could experience a wide variety of symptoms. And irreversible hearing loss is sometimes one of them. Why this occurs is still not known. The virus could be creating a response known as “cellular stress”. Some cells (like the cells in your ear) will start to breakdown, according to this hypothesis, because the virus puts so much stress on the body. But this kind of hearing loss may also be a result of your body’s own immune reaction. On occasion, your immune system can go into high gear and winds up contributing to significant damage to your body.
Additionally, when other COVID symptoms are going away, this hearing loss can still show up. The exact timing isn’t completely understood. Nor do we have a solid understanding of what kind of underlying conditions might cause COVID-related hearing loss to become 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 indeed be permanent. Of course, there are many variables, and there are a few treatments, too. Actually, researchers have already recognized that steroid treatments seem to help safeguard your hearing, particularly if you get early treatment. If you do experience sudden loss of hearing, you need to talk to a doctor.
Getting a hearing test after your COVID has passed is always a smart idea.
There are a couple of qualifiers to all of this that are worth pointing out. Hearing loss, first off, is not a very common COVID symptom. We don’t know yet how widespread this particular symptom is at this point. But as scientists learn more about COVID-19 the science will change.
Can COVID Related Hearing Loss be Avoided?
If you have sudden changes in your hearing and you have COVID-19 contact your doctor and make an appointment for a hearing exam with us. Lasting hearing loss can be decreased by rapid response.
Try to avoid getting sick: The best way to protect against COVID-related hearing loss is to do whatever you can to avoid contracting COVID in the first place. This means following guidelines when it comes to social gatherings, physical distancing, and wearing a mask.
This symptom does happen though it’s rare. And you will be a lot better off with more insight about hearing loss and COIVID. It’s a good decision to come in for an assessment if you think you have suffered hearing damage.