Can there be Long-term Repercussions to Your Hearing from COVID-19?

The progress of research on coronavirus has been swift, but there is still so much that is unknown about the virus. One of the unanswered questions are the possible long-term side-effects for anyone with the disease.

There is more and more information which shows that COVID-19 isn’t just a lung infection.  

There might be long-term consequences to an infected person’s health, other than their respiratory system. This includes health problems with their cardiovascular, immune and nervous systems. There may be suggestions for health regimens that may appear to be unrelated to COVID-19. For instance, there have been reports of blood clots, digestive issues, headaches and an inflammation appearance of the COVID toe.   

Research, and past cases, has shown that viruses like the measles, meningitis and mumps may induce hearing loss. COVID-19 can induce peripheral neuropathy - deteriorating the nerves that transmit information to and from the brain. Theoretically, COVID-19 may lead to auditory neuropathy - a hearing disease in which the cochlea continues to function but the transmission along the auditory nerve to the brain is damaged. Individuals who experience auditory neuropathy have trouble hearing if there is too much background noise, like in a bar or restaurant.   

There has been a connection between auditory neuropathy and Guillain-Barré syndrome - a severe immune disease that impacts the central and peripheral nerves. The coronavirus has also been linked to Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Low Evidence, but Preparation is Necessary

News reports on hearing loss and COVID-19 have so far been unproven. It is crucial not to diagnose hearing loss where it doesn’t exist, or where it’s coincidental based on the high rates of the virus among the population. The research could reveal the beginning of our understanding of this health issue. It’s important to be prepared in order to act accordingly.         

A physician in Manchester, England, surveyed COVID-19 patients following their release from the hospital. Three out of 25 patients have reported issues with their hearing. 

If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer a wide variety of hearing aid solutions for your individual needs. These include hearing aids from HANSATON, Oticon, Phonak, ReSound, Rexton, Signia, Starkey, Unitron and Widex.    

Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require new hearing aid fittings, repairs and re-fittings. If you need a hearing aid repair, we ask that you please wait in your car, while wearing your mask, and place your hearing aids in a clean zip lock bag. We will come to your car to get them. If you are having any issues with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices. 

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