One of the most uncommon symptoms of COVID-19 is that it can temporarily dampen your senses of smell and taste. We recognize that one of the first signs is loss of smell. But COVID-19 impacts more than just your sense of smell and taste. New studies are pointing to an unusual, but longer-term problem: long lasting sensorineural hearing loss.
How is Hearing Loss Brought on by COVID-19?
Each day scientists are discovering more with regards to COVID-19. But we’re truly in the dark in a lot of ways. The virus itself was only first discovered in late 2019. New pathogens usually take years or decades for scientists to identify. And COVIC-19 can be especially difficult because it effects different individuals in different ways.
There are numerous symptoms you can experience. And irreversible hearing loss is sometimes one of them. Why this occurs is still not evident. It could be something called “cellular stress” caused by the virus. According to this hypothesis, COVID places so much strain on your body that some cells (such as those responsible for hearing) start to break down. But your body’s own immune response may also be responsible for this kind of hearing loss. Sometimes, your immune system can go into high gear and ends up contributing to 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 sure why this occurs. We also have no clue why it’s more or less likely to occur.
Is There Any Treatment For This Type of Hearing Loss?
Irreversible sensorineural hearing loss is possible as a result of COVID-19. There might be some treatment options depending on specific variables. It’s already been observed that early steroid treatments seem to help protect your hearing from further damage. If you are affected by sudden loss of hearing, you should talk to a doctor.
Having a hearing exam after your COVID has passed is always a smart idea.
There are a couple of qualifiers to all of this that are worth pointing out. Hearing loss, first off, isn’t a very common COVID symptom. At the moment, we’re not certain how prevalent this symptom is. But as scientists discover more about COVID-19 the science will adjust.
Can You Prevent 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 examination with us. An early response might help lessen long-term hearing loss.
Try to avoid getting sick: Safeguarding yourself from contracting COVID-19 is the best way to prevent this type of hearing loss. So with regards to things such as social distancing, social gatherings, and wearing a mask, follow the guidelines.
While this specific symptom is uncommon, it still happens. And the more facts you have concerning COVID and hearing loss, the better. If you think you’ve already suffered hearing damage, it’s probably a wise decision to come in and get examined.