You might develop hearing loss as you get older, particularly if you regularly expose yourself to loud noise. Similarly, if you work on a busy factory floor and don’t use hearing protection, hearing loss may be in your future. These are pretty common and widely known causes of hearing loss. But there’s a new kid on the block, and you can probably guess who it is: Covid-19.
That’s right, the same illness that’s been turning the world upside down for the last couple of years might also result in hearing loss.
Maybe? Probably? Alright, we’re still in the early phases of actually understanding Covid-19. And scientists are learning something new about it every day. Some research does suggest that Covid-19 is linked to hearing loss, but that research is also somewhat early and is still waiting for more facts to back it up. So where is this research currently at.
Does the Covid vaccine trigger hearing loss?
So here’s the first thing to bear in mind: There’s absolutely no evidence that the Covid-19 vaccine leads to hearing loss. All of the presently approved vaccines have this in common. That just isn’t how these vaccines work, they don’t affect your ears at all. It would be like consuming a nice healthy salad and then claiming that it caused your diabetes.
This is true of both the established vaccines and the new mRNA vaccines. For most people, the risks are greatly outweighed by the benefits. Talk with your doctor and find reputable information if you have any questions about vaccines.
Okay… with that out of the way, let’s talk about hearing loss.
So how is hearing loss caused by Covid?
So how is hearing loss triggered by this? Specifically, how does it trigger the kind of hearing loss that is the result of damage to the auditory system which is usually irreversible, known as sensorineural hearing loss?
Well, there are a couple of hypotheses. These theories, we should mention, aren’t always mutually exclusive. They could both be true!
Theory #1: inflammation
The first compelling theory among scientists is that Covid-19 causes considerable inflammation in the upper respiratory tract, and that this inflammation can eventually affect your ears. After all, your nose, mouth, and ears are all connected. This might result in hearing loss in a couple of ways:
- Fluid buildup: Inflammation can make drainage pathways smaller, making it harder for fluid to get out or drain efficiently. As this fluid builds up, hearing becomes difficult. In these circumstances, your hearing will usually return to normal once your symptoms clear up (this wouldn’t be an example of sensorineural hearing loss).
- Cell damage: Remember that viruses utilize your body’s own cells to replicate. The consequence is damage. And because Covid affects your vascular system, this can in some cases result in damage to the vascular links between your ears and your brain. This situation is sensorineural hearing loss and will be generally irreversible.
Steroids are sometimes prescribed when hearing loss is related to inflammation. Scientists are still searching for a way to prevent sensorineural hearing loss caused by cell damage. It’s not clear, based on this research, exactly how much protection vaccines give you against this type of damage, but it’s safe to say it’s better than no protection.
Theory #2: Long Covid
The second hypothesis is a bit murkier when it comes to the cause and effect, but more substantiated in terms of patients’ experience. There’s something called Long Covid which you, by now, have probably heard about.
Long Covid is a condition in which people experience symptoms from Covid long after the actual virus has left their body. Often, a debilitating bout of long Covid that lasts for months, or longer, after having Covid itself, is experienced. Scientists still aren’t sure just what causes Long Covid, but there’s no doubt it’s a real thing.
Data about long-term hearing difficulties was systematically reviewed by scientists and a report was published in February 2021. The review found that:
- Tinnitus was reported by 14.8%
- 7.2% of individuals reported vertigo
- 7.6% of people reported hearing loss after getting Covid.
Whether these auditory difficulties are caused by Long Covid or just associated with it isn’t entirely clear, but it goes without saying there’s some kind of relationship. A variety of symptoms, including hearing issues, come from Long Covid.
Anecdote or evidence?
When somebody talks about how they got Covid and had hearing issues ever since, that’s an anecdote. It’s one single story. When researchers are attempting to develop a treatment strategy, these personal accounts, while they are part of everyday life for the individuals, aren’t enough for scientists to go on. So research is essential here.
Researchers will be able to get a better understanding about the dangers of Covid as they obtain more information about how prevalent 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 call us if you think you may be developing hearing loss.
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&
