You may develop hearing loss as you get older, especially if you frequently expose yourself to loud noise. Likewise, if you work on a busy factory floor and don’t use ear protection, hearing loss may be in your future. These are pretty common and widely known causes of hearing loss. But within the past few years, a new cause has surfaced. Yup, you guessed it, Covid-19.
People all around the world have been ravaged by all of the numerous symptoms and side-effects of Covid-19, and that may include issues with hearing.
Maybe? Probably? Alright, we’re still in the early phases of actually understanding Covid-19. And scientists are discovering something new about it all the time. There is some research which indicates that hearing loss could be a potential side effect of Covid-19, but more research still needs to be done to back this up. So where is this research currently at.
So can hearing loss be triggered by Covid-19?
So here’s the first thing to keep in mind: The Covid-19 vaccine has never been proven to cause hearing loss. All of the currently approved vaccines have this in common. That’s just not how these vaccines work, they don’t impact your ears at all. It would be like consuming a nice healthy salad and then claiming that it was the cause of your diabetes.
This applies to the brand new mRNA vaccines and the more conventional ones. For the majority of people, the risks are vastly outweighed by the benefits. Talk to your doctor and seek reputable information if you have any questions about vaccines.
Okay… with that off the table, let’s talk about hearing loss.
So how is hearing loss caused by Covid?
But, how does this trigger hearing loss? Specifically, how does this lead to sensorineural hearing loss, the type of hearing loss that results from damage to your auditory system and is usually permanent?
Scientists have a couple of hypotheses. Either one of them could cause hearing loss or both together.
Theory #1: inflammation
The first compelling theory among researchers is that Covid-19 causes significant inflammation in the upper respiratory tract, and that this inflammation can ultimately impact your ears. Your ears, nose, and mouth are all interconnected, after all. This may cause hearing loss in a couple of ways:
- Fluid buildup: Inflammation can make drainage pathways narrower, making it more difficult for fluid to escape or drain properly. It becomes more and more difficult to hear as this fluid continues to accumulate. In these circumstances, your hearing will usually return to normal once your symptoms subside (this would not be an example of sensorineural hearing loss).
- Cell damage: It’s important to keep in mind that viruses reproduce by hijacking your body’s own cells. This can cause damage. And because Covid impacts your vascular system, this can in some cases cause damage to the vascular connections between your ears and your brain. This situation is sensorineural hearing loss and will be basically permanent.
When hearing loss is caused by a buildup due to inflammation, steroids can sometimes help. Scientists are still looking for a way to prevent sensorineural hearing loss caused by cell damage. How much protection from this sort of hearing loss the vaccines will provide is unclear, but it’s better than no protection.
Theory #2: Long Covid
The second theory is a little murkier in terms of the cause and effect, but more corroborated with regards to patients’ experience. There’s something called Long Covid which you, by now, have most likely heard about.
Long Covid is a condition in which patients experience symptoms from Covid long after the actual virus has left their body. Sometimes, patients will experience a mild bout of Covid followed by a debilitating Long Covid experience that drags on for months (or longer). Scientists are still unsure exactly what causes Long Covid, but there’s no doubt it’s a real thing.
In February of 2021, researchers published a systematic review that evaluated data about long-term auditory complications caused by Covid-19. The review found that:
- 7.2% of individuals reported vertigo
- After getting Covid, hearing loss was reported by 7.6% of people.
- 14.8% reported experiencing tinnitus
Whether these auditory difficulties are caused by Long Covid or just associated with it isn’t very clear, but it goes without saying there’s some kind of relationship. A variety of symptoms, including hearing issues, come from Long Covid.
Evidence or anecdote?
It’s anecdotal when somebody says that their hearing has been off since they got Covid. It’s only one person’s story. And while it’s a fact of life for them, it’s not really enough for scientists to go on when devising treatment plans. That’s why research is so critical.
As researchers uncover more evidence that these hearing complications are relatively extensive, they’re able to generate a clearer image of the hazards related to Covid-19.
We certainly need to understand more. Research is continuing, which means the link between Covid-19 and hearing loss isn’t necessarily proven or unproven. Regardless of how you developed hearing loss, however, it’s still important that you get treatment as soon as you can. So if you suspect your hearing isn’t what it once was, give us a call to make an appointment.
References
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2022.883749/full
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14992027.2021.1896793?journalCode=iija20&