There is still so much to learn about the side effects of COVID-19, but some researchers and doctors have recently reported new symptoms related to coronavirus: sudden hearing loss and tinnitus.
As reported by BMJ Journals, it was discovered that patients had suffered severe hearing loss after contracting SARS-CoV-2, while others suffered the effects of tinnitus. Tinnitus can affect people of all ages and produce hearing problems, issues with communication, and trouble sleeping.
While this is one of the first reported studies on the connection between COVID-19 and hearing loss, it is important to note that the researchers tested "20 patients with no COVID-19-related symptoms who were SARS-CoV-2 positive and 20 control patients, and found that the SARS-CoV-2 positive patients had significantly worse high frequency pure tone audiometry thresholds than the control patients" – indicating a relationship between COVID-19 and cochlear damage.
Despite the considerable literature on COVID-19 and the various symptoms associated with the virus, there is a lack of discussion on the relationship between COVID-19 and hearing. Hearing loss and tinnitus are symptoms that have been seen in patients with both COVID-19 and influenza virus but have not been highlighted.
If you have contracted the coronavirus, be vigilant and thorough in discussing any hearing issues you have had with our audiologists.
As the coronavirus has yet to be fully contained, we urge you to continue wearing your masks when you leave your home. We understand, however, that for people with hearing aids, masks may interfere with:
Visual cues
Added social isolation due to COVID
Possible physical results on hearing
If you have experienced any of the above, please contact us for an appointment.
FREE Ear Savers
COVID-19 is having an impact on all of us. But for hearing aid users, we also have to
deal with the risk of losing or damaging our aids when taking our masks on and off.
To help prevent this, we are offering "ear savers" to all hearing aid users. To get your free ear savers, please call either office and we will leave them in a bag for you outside.
508-539-9780 (Mashpee)
508-385-5222 (Yarmouth Port) We look forward to hearing from you! Dr. Leanne Fletcher & Dr. Tiffany Pfleger Advanced Audiology Associates, Inc. hearingonthecape.com
Reference: Koumpa FS, Forde CT, Manjaly JG. Sudden irreversible hearing loss post COVID-19
BMJ Case Reports CP 2020;13:e238419.