COVID-19 has a few unusual symptoms such as dampening your sense of taste and smell. We recognize that one of the first symptoms is loss of the sense of smell. But COVID-19 affects more than just your sense of smell and taste. New studies are pointing to an uncommon, but longer-term issue: long lasting sensorineural hearing loss.
How is Hearing Loss Brought on by COVID-19?
Every day scientists are discovering more about COVID-19. But there’s still a great deal we don’t understand. 2019 is when the virus was first observed. Normally, scientists work for years, if not decades, to completely describe a new pathogen. And COVIC-19 can be particularly difficult because it impacts different individuals in different ways.
There are a multitude of symptoms you can experience. And one of those symptoms is irreversible hearing loss. Why this occurs is still not evident. The virus might be creating a reaction known as “cellular stress”. According to this theory, COVID puts so much stress on your body that some cells (such as those responsible for hearing) start to deteriorate. But this type of hearing loss may also be a result of your body’s own immune reaction. Occasionally, your immune system can go into high gear and winds up contributing to significant damage to your body.
It’s also worth mentioning that sometimes this hearing loss can first appear when other COVID symptoms are almost gone. The exact timing isn’t completely known. We are also clueless why it’s more or less likely to occur.
Is There Any Treatment For This Sort of Hearing Loss?
Irreversible sensorineural hearing loss is possible as a result of COVID-19. Needless to say, there are many variables, and there are a few treatments, too. In fact, researchers have noticed already that steroid treatments seem to help preserve your hearing, especially if you undergo early treatment. It’s important to see a doctor right away if you experience sudden hearing loss.
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 should be pointed out. Hearing loss, first off, is not a very common COVID symptom. At the moment, we’re not sure how prevalent this symptom is. But as scientists discover more about COVID-19 the science will adjust.
Can You Prevent COVID-Related 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 examination with us. Long-term hearing loss can be lessened by quick response.
Try to avoid getting sick: Safeguarding yourself from contracting COVID-19 is the best way to avoid this type of hearing loss. So when it comes to things like social distancing, social gatherings, and wearing a mask, follow the guidelines.
While this specific symptom is uncommon, it still happens. And the more information you have about COVID and hearing loss, the better. It’s a good decision to come in for an evaluation if you think you have suffered hearing damage.