Could Hearing Loss Be a Side Effect of COVID-19?

A new study suggests a surprising link between coronavirus and hearing loss, reports WCNC . U.K. researchers observed that nearly 15 percent of COVID-19 patients reported tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, while almost 8 percent reported hearing loss and slightly more than 7 percent suffered from vertigo. It is unclear as to why COVID-19 could be causing these issues, and how long these symptoms last. Some patients report ongoing problems, while others say they resolve over time. A year-long study is being conducted in Britain to investigate the long-term effect on hearing in coronavirus patients. The authors hope to determine what components of the auditory system are impacted, with the goal of helping reduce this suffering.