- Studies suggest Human Ears are More Susceptible to SARS-CoV2 infection. Covid-19 can cause deafness by affecting the inner ear structures including audio-vestibular function.
- New research found that the Covid-19 virus could infect two types of specific cells in the audio-vestibular system of the inner ear called hair cells and Schwann cells.
- Coronavirus now can be a big threat to human ears and cause hearing disabilities. Findings suggest that inner ear infections may have hearing-associated problems along with imbalance.
- Also, Covid-19 can cause sudden irreversible deafness and hearing loss post Coronavirus infection.
How Viruses Affect Inner Ear
Many viral infections cause viral-induced sensorineural hearing loss or deafness. These viruses include herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus, Epstein-Barr virus, mumps virus, parainfluenza virus, rubella virus, and many more are common causes of deafness and hearing loss.
These viruses are not only limited to hearing loss but also affect other functions of in inner ear. Body imbalance, dizziness, vertigo, and tinnitus (ringing in the ear) are the most common ailments caused by these viruses.
Also affects other inner ear structures like the Organ of Corti which is situated within the Cochlea in the inner ear and vestibulocochlear nerve. If the latent viruses in the ear get activated can infect the middle ear. This can lead to conductive hearing loss due to middle ear effusion.
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Onset and prevalence of hearing loss in Covid-19 patients
The exact pathophysiology of the disease and how covid-19 causes deafness is not known yet. Otolaryngologists and researchers are still working on the role of Covid-19 in inner ear infection other systematic studies. Many cases of sudden onset of hearing loss are frequently seen by doctors in Covid-19 patients.
However, the pathophysiology of the disease is not very clear but most likely the causative factor is the coronavirus infection.
Now research from the Massachusetts Eye & Ear and Massachusetts Institute of Technology has detailed how coronavirus attacks the inner ear and causes deafness. A large population of Covid-19 asymptomatic or mild symptomatic cases was seen during the coronavirus outbreak.
Many neuronal inflammation cases as Anosmia, related to Covid-19 have been reported. The relationship between Covid-19 and sensorineural hearing loss (deafness) is to be explored further but this is very evident that this could be related to Covid-19 infection.
Tinnitus and hearing loss are the symptoms that have been seen in many Covid-19 patients but have not been highlighted.
Now cases are being reported, research and studies are being conducted on the effects of coronavirus on-ear and vestibular function.
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How Covid-19 Causes Deafness and hearing loss
Most viruses affect the inner ear most and cause tinnitus, vertigo, and imbalance. However, the Covid-19 virus causes middle ear infection and impacts much more on hearing and balance functions. Many patients have observed a very prominent symptom of Anosmia in Covid-19 patients.
Coronavirus affects the olfactory nerve and causes Anosmia (Loss of smell). Similarly, Covid-19 affects the vestibulocochlear nerve and causes hearing loss.
Researchers analyzed inner ear tissues of mice & humans and found a consistent pattern of inner ear symptoms in a study of Covid-19 patients. All these patients had reported ear-related symptoms including tinnitus, dizziness, and hearing loss within 3 weeks of the infection of Covid-19.
They found that both mice and human inner ear tissue contained allow coronavirus entry into cells. Also observed was that the virus could infect Schwann and hair cells in the inner ear.
Can Covid-19 Infection Passed From Mother to Baby and Cause Deafness
According to the researchers, the inner ear of the baby is very sensitive and many newborn babies are born with congenital viral infections like cytomegalovirus and HIV. These infections may cause congenital hearing loss at birth. Cytomegalovirus itself is a cause of around 40 percent of congenital hearing loss or deafness in newborn babies.
Researchers observed that a developmental phase of a cell type of SARS CoV2 is present In the developing inner ear of the fetus. That’s why doctors recommend the pregnant women get vaccinated against Covid-19 to prevent coronavirus infection and complications in newborns.
Conclusion
It’s a recommendation from the Researchers to pay attention to symptoms like tinnitus, dizziness, and hearing loss in the diagnosed Covid-19 patients, as well as those who are exposed to the coronavirus. It proves that Covid-19 Causes Deafness by affecting the inner ear.
Experts say other viruses like cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus, Epstein-Barr virus, mumps virus, parainfluenza virus, rubella virus may also cause hearing loss, and especially newborns can be at risk.
Covid-19 also causes neurological effects especially in the inner ear of newborns of Covid-19 positive mothers and Covid-19 diagnosed patients. However, these symptoms are less common but the impact is too high which can be long-term.
Fever, loss of smell, cough, breathlessness, and other flu-like respiratory symptoms are more common to diagnose Covid-19 patients. Doctors should also focus on neurological symptoms like brain stroke, dizziness, hearing loss, and tinnitus. These symptoms can also be very important presenting symptoms to diagnose a Covid-19 patient and to choose the right treatment options.
