COVID-19 has a few unusual symptoms including dampening your sense of taste and smell. Indeed, loss of smell is often one of the first signs of infection. But COVID-19 impacts more than just your sense of smell and taste. Sensorineural hearing loss is an uncommon and permanent problem according to new findings.
How Can COVID-19 Cause Hearing Loss?
Scientists are discovering more about COVID-19 every single day. But there’s still a great deal we don’t understand. 2019 is when the virus was first observed. New pathogens normally take years or decades for scientists to describe. One thing we’re discovering about COVID is that it impacts different people in countless different ways (making it a really tricky and challenging problem).
There are lots of symptoms you can experience. And permanent hearing loss can be one of them. Scientists still aren’t certain why that is. It may be something called “cellular stress” caused by the virus. Based on this hypothesis, COVID places so much stress on your body that certain cells (such as those responsible for hearing) begin to deteriorate. But your body’s own immune response might also be responsible for this kind of hearing loss. Sometimes, your immune system can go into high gear and winds up causing significant damage to your body.
Also, when other COVID symptoms are almost gone, this hearing loss can still show up. Again, we’re not really certain why this occurs. We are also clueless why it’s more or less likely to occur.
Is There Any Treatment For This Type of Hearing Loss?
Sensorineural hearing loss triggered by COVID-19 can indeed be permanent. Naturally, there are many variables, and there are some treatments, too. As a matter of fact, researchers have noticed already that steroid treatments seem to help preserve your hearing, particularly if you get early treatment. It’s important to see a doctor right away if you experience sudden loss of hearing.
Getting a hearing test after your COVID has passed is always a good idea.
There are a few qualifiers to all of this that are worth pointing out. First and foremost, hearing loss does seem to be a relatively uncommon symptom of COVID. Right now, we’re not sure how common this symptom is. But as scientists learn more about COVID-19 the science will adjust.
Can You Avoid COVID-Induced Hearing Loss?
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. Long-term hearing loss can be minimized by quick response.
Try to prevent getting sick: Safeguarding yourself from getting COVID-19 is the best way to prevent this type of hearing loss. So when it comes to things like social distancing, social gatherings, and wearing a mask, stick to the guidelines.
This symptom does happen though it’s rare. And you will be that much better off with more insight about hearing loss and COIVID. If you think you’ve already suffered hearing damage, it’s probably a wise decision to come in and get examined.