For the past two years, doctors, researchers and other scientists have been looking into the causes and effects of COVID-19. Fortunately, we’re seeing cases dropping and life at Downtown and the Gaslamp Quarter returning to something that closer resembles “normal” as we learn more about the virus. One more recent discovery is that the novel coronavirus is linked to inner ear problems.
Symptoms of COVID-19
At present, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists the symptoms of COVID-19 as:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
However, research shows that the symptoms hearing loss, dizziness and tinnitus (ringing in the ears) can be added as well.
Why Is This New News?
Inner ear problems were likely overlooked at the start of the pandemic because doctors were focused on keeping COVID-19 patients alive. So non-life-threatening symptoms like hearing problems and vertigo were more often disregarded.
According to inner ear researcher Konstantina Stankovic, M.D., Ph.D., “Our study showed evidence that the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 can directly infect the inner ear… During the peak of the pandemic, when patients were having more life-threatening complications, they weren’t paying much attention to whether their hearing was reduced or whether they had vertigo. It was easy to dismiss these symptoms as just being a coincidence, and routine testing for SARS-CoV-2 was not yet available.”
COVID-19 “Long-Haulers”
There are many names for people who suffer from problems related to COVID-19 longer than the usual two-week period, including long-haulers, long COVID, long-term COVID and post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC).
By some estimates, as many as 40% of people who have recovered from the initial infection continue to suffer for weeks or months from fatigue, memory problems, joint problems and inner ear problems.
How Does COVID-19 Affect the Inner Ear?
It’s not yet known how the COVID virus travels to the inner ear, though some experts speculate that it migrates from the nose.
If you’ve had COVID-19 and are experiencing any inner ear-related problems, it’s important to schedule an appointment with an audiologist right away. For more information or to schedule an appointment with a hearing expert, call San Diego ENT today.