You might develop hearing loss as you get older, particularly if you regularly expose yourself to loud noise. Hearing loss may be in your future, for instance, if you work on a loud factory floor without hearing protection. These hearing loss causes are pretty common. But within the last few years, a new cause has surfaced. Yup, you guessed it, Covid-19.
People across the world have been ravaged by all of the many symptoms and side-effects of Covid-19, and that may include problems with hearing.
Maybe? Probably? Alright, we’re still in the early stages of really understanding Covid-19. And scientists are learning something new about it every day. Some research does suggest that Covid-19 is connected to hearing loss, but that research is also rather early and is still waiting for more facts to back it up. So let’s have a look at where things stand right now.
So can hearing loss be caused by Covid-19?
So here’s the first thing to bear in mind: The Covid-19 vaccine has never been proven to cause hearing loss. That’s true for all of the presently approved and available vaccines, from Pfizer and Moderna to Novovax. That’s just not how these vaccines work, they don’t affect your ears at all. It would be like blaming your diabetes on the salad you had for lunch.
This is true of both the conventional vaccines and the new mRNA vaccines. For most people, the risks are greatly outweighed by the advantages. Talk to your doctor and seek reputable information if you have any questions about vaccines.
Let’s discuss hearing loss now that we’ve gotten that out of the way.
So, how does Covid trigger hearing loss?
But, how can this trigger hearing loss? Specifically, how does this lead to sensorineural hearing loss, the type of hearing loss that is the result of damage to your auditory system and is generally permanent?
Scientists have a couple of theories. Either one of them could cause hearing loss or both together.
Theory #1: inflammation
Covid-19 creates inflammation in your upper respiratory tract, and the theory is that this inflammation ultimately impacts your ears. Your ears, nose, and mouth are all connected, after all. This might produce hearing loss in a couple of ways:
- Fluid buildup: Fluid has a more difficult time draining because inflammation has made the drainage channels more narrow. As this fluid accumulates, hearing becomes difficult. After the symptoms subside, your hearing will normally go back to normal (this would not be an example of sensorineural hearing loss).
- Cell damage: Remember that viruses use your body’s own cells to reproduce. This can lead to damage. Sometimes, damage to the vascular links between your brain and your ears takes place because of the way Covid affects your vascular system. This situation is sensorineural hearing loss and will be generally permanent.
Steroids are occasionally prescribed when hearing loss is a result of inflammation. Scientists are still searching for a way to prevent sensorineural hearing loss due to cell damage. How much protection from this sort of hearing loss the vaccines will provide is not clear, but it’s better than no protection.
Theory #2: Long Covid
The next hypothesis is more significant in regards to patients’ experience, but a bit less comprehended with regards to cause and effect. By now, you’ve probably heard of something called Long Covid.
Long Covid is a condition in which individuals experience symptoms from Covid long after the actual virus has left their system. Often, a debilitating bout of long Covid that lasts for months, or longer, after having Covid itself, is experienced. Scientists are still unsure precisely what causes Long Covid, but there’s no doubt it’s a real thing.
Data about long-term hearing complications was systematically reviewed by researchers and a report was published in February 2021. Here’s what the review discovered:
- 7.6% of individuals reported hearing impairment after getting Covid.
- Tinnitus was experienced by 14.8%
- Vertigo was reported by7.2% of people
Whether these auditory complications are caused by Long Covid or just associated with it isn’t entirely clear, but it goes without saying there’s a relationship of some kind. A variety of symptoms, including hearing problems, come from Long Covid.
Anecdote or evidence?
It’s anecdotal when somebody states that their hearing has been off since they got Covid. It’s only one person’s narrative. And while it’s a fact of life for them, it isn’t necessarily enough for researchers to go on when devising treatment guidance. That’s why research is so crucial.
Scientists will be able to get a better comprehension about the dangers of Covid as they accumulate more data about how extensive these complications are.
Obviously, there’s still more to learn. Research is ongoing, which means the connection between Covid-19 and hearing loss isn’t actually proven or unproven. It’s important to seek help as soon as possible regardless of how your hearing loss developed. So if you think your hearing isn’t what it used to be, 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&