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One of the most unusual symptoms of COVID-19 is that it’s able to temporarily dampen your senses of taste and smell. Indeed, loss of smell is often one of the initial indications of infection. But COVID-19 impacts more than just your sense of smell and taste. New discoveries are pointing to an unusual, but longer-term issue: irreversible sensorineural hearing loss.

How is Hearing Loss Brought on by COVID-19?

Scientists are learning more about COVID-19 each day. But there’s still a great deal we don’t know. 2019 is when the virus was first discovered. Normally, scientists work for years, if not decades, to thoroughly describe a new pathogen. And COVIC-19 is particularly difficult because it effects different individuals in different ways.

You might experience a wide array of symptoms. And irreversible hearing loss can be one of them. Why this occurs is still not evident. It might be something known as “cellular stress” caused by the virus. Based on this theory, COVID puts so much stress on your body that certain cells (such as those responsible for hearing) begin to deteriorate. But your body’s own immune response could also be responsible for this kind of hearing loss. Significant damage can be done to your body when your immune system overcompensates.

It’s also worth noting that sometimes this hearing loss can first appear when other COVID symptoms are almost gone. Again, we aren’t really sure why this happens. Nor do we have a good understanding of what type of underlying circumstances would cause COVID-related hearing loss to become more or less likely to take place.

Is There Any Treatment For This Sort of Hearing Loss?

Permanent sensorineural hearing loss is possible as a result of COVID-19. Of course, there are countless variables, and there are some treatments, too. As a matter of fact, researchers have already recognized that steroid treatments seem to help protect your hearing, particularly if you undergo early treatment. It’s essential to see a doctor as soon as possible if you experience sudden loss of hearing.

Having a hearing exam after your COVID has passed is always a smart idea.

There are several qualifiers to all of this that are worth pointing out. First of all, hearing loss does appear to be a relatively uncommon symptom of COVID. We don’t know yet how common this particular symptom is at this point. But as scientists discover more about COVID-19 the science will change.

Can You Avoid COVID-Related Hearing Loss?

If you have sudden changes in your hearing and you have COVID-19 contact your doctor and schedule a hearing test with us. Long-term hearing loss can be decreased by quick response.

Try to stay healthy: Safeguarding yourself from getting COVID-19 is the best way to prevent this type of hearing loss. This means following guidelines regarding social gatherings, physical distancing, and wearing a mask.

While this specific symptom is uncommon, it still happens. And you will be substantially better off with more insight about hearing loss and COIVID. If you think you’ve already had hearing damage, it’s definitely a good idea to come in and get evaluated.

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The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.
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