Covid and Hearing Loss

One of the questions that I have been asked recently, and rightly so, “ Can Covid-19 cause hearing loss?

Sadly, there is no definitive answer regarding this, as this virus is so ‘new’ and there are no long-term studies available, but the best answer is ‘maybe’. According to an article in Frontiers in Neurology dated April 2022 as well as other medical resources, there is growing evidence that Covid-19 may increase the risk of developing sensorineural hearing loss.

As is known, the virus can gain entry to the ear, thereby causing possible damage to the inner ear (cochlea) and vestibular system, resulting in hearing loss, vertigo and/or tinnitus.

Obviously much more research is needed to focus on the long-term effects of this virus before a definitive answer can be reached.

If you do start experiencing symptoms of hearing loss, vertigo, or tinnitus it is important to contact your physician or audiologist for further evaluation and treatment.