Research on the relationship between coronavirus-19 and hearing problems suggests that certain hearing loss symptoms may be linked to the disease. Hearing loss, tinnitus and vertigo may all be linked to COVID-19, the study found. Some viruses, such as measles, mumps, and meningitis, can cause hearing loss.
We have conducted approximately 50 studies reporting hearing loss in patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Our analysis of data published in the International Journal of Audiology shows that 12% of adults diagnosed with COVID-19 have symptoms of severe hearing loss. The most common symptom is tinnitus, followed by hearing difficulties and dizziness.
Tinnitus problem
Tinnitus is a common disorder, affecting about 18% of adults. Most people with tinnitus also have hearing loss, which strongly suggests that there is a close relationship between the two. In fact, tinnitus is the first warning. For example, exposure to noise or drugs that are toxic to the ear can damage the hearing system. Tinnitus is a common symptom of long-term COVID-19 that persists for months after the infection clears, the study found.
Because most people experience temporary tinnitus in quiet environments, the auditory organs are sensitive. There is also a link between tinnitus and stress. There is no clinical hearing test to diagnose tinnitus, so audiologists rely on self-reports.
Why tinnitus is reported in people diagnosed with COVID-19 is uncertain. This virus can attack and damage hearing. On the other hand, the mental and emotional stress of the pandemic may be the trigger.
Hearing loss and vertigo symptoms
Multiple studies have shown that hearing impairment associated with COVID-19 spans a broad age range and severity of COVID-19, ranging from mild (treatment at home) to severe (requiring hospitalization). Cases of sudden deafness usually report tinnitus symptoms.
About 2 out of every 10,000 people suffer from sudden deafness each year. Used to treat swelling of the inner ear and reduce inflammation of the inner ear. However, this treatment is only effective after hearing loss has occurred.
Viruses can cause sudden hearing loss, so sars-cov-2 may be the cause of reported hearing loss cases in patients with Covid-19. Another common symptom of COVID-19 is dizziness. It is difficult to distinguish it from rotational vertigo, a characteristic of a compromised inner ear balance system. However, rotational vertigo is expected to occur in about 8% of COVID-19 cases.
Given the importance of timely evidence to inform health services, the information provided by this new systematic review is welcome, but so far the evidence is based on investigations and case reports. Given the high incidence of covid-19 in the population, it is important not to diagnose auditory vestibular symptoms in the absence or compliance. However, the findings of the review may only reflect the beginning of our understanding of this emergency health condition.
The studies compared human samples that tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 with non-COVID-19 control samples. To this end, we are conducting a one-year study to investigate the effect of SARS-CoV-2 on hearing in hospitalized patients previously infected with the virus.
Wearing hearing aids is the treatment for hearing loss. Hearing aids can amplify your voice and improve your patient’s hearing. According to feedback from many patients, GB3 hearing aids can improve hearing and re-hearing the surrounding sounds.