Julie Raney is a certified and licensed audiologist. She has a B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a Master’s Degree in Audiology from Idaho State University. She has worked as a clinical audiologist in Colorado since 2005. She specializes in hearing amplification for adults and delivers her services in both English and Sign Language.

What is Long COVID?

Long COVID is currently defined as any symptoms which last over 12 weeks. What confuses experts the most is the unpredictability of lasting symptoms. Currently, no clear biochemical or radiological features exist to aid diagnosis, and there are potentially several observable characteristics or traits with different outcomes. One such notable side effect that researchers are scrambling to understand is long covid and its effect on hearing loss and tinnitus.

Viruses and Hearing Loss

It’s well documented that some viruses such as Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Rubella (CRS), commonly cause hearing loss. In the case of CMV, nearly 40% of cases cause hearing loss at birth, while those born with CRS almost always are born with some degree of hearing loss. Other diseases which cause hearing loss after birth include measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, and HIV.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Viruses

This is often due to viral infection’s effect on the auditory nerve, deep within the inner ear. In the inner ear is a snail-shaped, fluid-filled organ called the cochlea and within that are tiny hair-like cells emersed in fluid. When sound moves the fluid within the cochlea, the tiny hair-cells react and transfer the vibration into electrical impulses which are sent to the brain. When infection damages these tiny hair cells it can leave individuals with permanent hearing loss. The damage or death of these cells is referred to as sensorineural hearing loss, in one or both ears.

Treating Hearing Loss Caused by Viral Infection

While hearing loss is irreversible it is often very treatable. The most common tinnitus treatment is hearing aids which can be programmed to only amplify the sounds you struggle with while allowing the rest to be picked by your existing hearing. Many times, preventative measures can be taken to prevent hearing loss such as the use of antiviral therapy. Antiviral medications help the body fight off harmful viruses, which can lessen symptoms and shorten the duration of infection. However, once a sensorineural hearing loss has developed the only treatment is hearing aids or in extreme instances where hearing loss is extreme, cochlear implants.

Study Linking COVID-19 and Hearing Loss

A March 2021 study sought to solidify the connection between COVID-19 and symptoms of hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo. The study reported that tinnitus (ringing of the ears) was the most common lasting symptom of COVID-19. The study did not that tinnitus is a rather common condition on its own affecting nearly 15 percent of the US population and is closely related to damage within the inner ear. The study reasoned that tinnitus was most likely one of the first signs that further damage was sustained to the auditory nerve by COVID-19 patients, causing lasting sensorineural hearing loss. Meanwhile, tinnitus is most frequently reported by those suffering from long COVID, however, hearing difficulties have been reported by patients with varying degrees of severity.

Sudden Hearing Loss and COVID-19

The researchers have also determined that COVID-19 may be responsible for sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Sudden hearing loss occurs within 24 hours to a week in one or both ears. Even so, due to the high rate of infection worldwide, researchers were unable to determine if COVID-19 had a significant effect aside from normal frequency.

Addressing Hearing Loss

Research links COVID-19 is linked to hearing difficulties, such as hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo however further research is required to solidify the connection. If you have had COVID-19 and you are concerned that it has affected your hearing, do not hesitate to reach out to us. We can test your hearing and help you find the best solution for your particular hearing needs.