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The coronavirus affects not only the lungs. Patients with COVID-19 often have changes in the heart, kidneys, and nervous system disorders. Now it turns out that SARS-CoV-2 can also cause sudden and permanent hearing loss. This was proved by the case of a 45-year-old man described by scientists.
- Scientists have long suspected that the coronavirus could damage hearing and even lead to deafness. Researchers at University College London found further evidence to support the concerns.
- Researchers described the case of a 45-year-old man infected with SARS-CoV-2, treated in an intensive care unit. He had a sudden loss of hearing
- Dr. Stefania Koumpa: It is possible that the coronavirus has entered the cells of the inner ear, causing them to die. Another hypothesis is that in this situation, the body releases cytokines that may be harmful to the inner ear
- NICU patients with COVID-19 should be asked about possible changes in their hearing and be referred for emergency treatment in an emergency.
- You can find more such stories on the TvoiLokony home page
Sudden hearing loss in a young patient with COVID-19
Scientists have long suspected that the coronavirus could damage hearing and even lead to deafness. Reports on this topic have been appearing for several months. Researchers at University College London found further evidence to support the concerns. In the medical journal “BMJ Case Reports” they described the case of a 45-year-old man infected with SARS-CoV-2 (he also had asthma), who was treated in the intensive care unit. This patient developed a sudden and permanent hearing loss.
One week after completing the ICU treatment, the patient began to hear buzzing and ringing in his ears. Eventually it got to the point where he lost his hearing in his left ear. The case is all the more surprising as the man had no problems with hearing or with the ear canals or eardrums before.
- The coronavirus affects not only the lungs. It affects all organs
The staff caring for the patient say that none of the medications given to the man (including the antiviral remdesivir and steroids) should damage his hearing. Further analyzes did not reveal any signs of autoimmune problems, and the 45-year-old did not suffer from flu (which can impair hearing). Later studies showed that the left ear had sensorineural hearing loss (caused by dysfunction of the inner ear or the auditory nerve). The condition was treated with steroids with partial success.
The case of the 45-year-old is the first such incident reported in the UK.
Why COVID-19 Can Damage Hearing? Possible explanations
Dr. Stefania Koumpa, co-author of the study described above, emphasizes that at this point it is not clear how SARS-CoV-2 can cause hearing loss. There are, however, some assumptions.
– It is possible that the coronavirus has entered the inner ear cells, causing them to die. Another hypothesis is that in this situation, the body releases cytokines that can be harmful to the inner ear, explains Dr. Koumpa, emphasizing that steroids are likely to weaken this inflammatory response and thus limit the production of cytokines.
What is the conclusion of the study of British scientists? Scientists emphasize that patients with COVID-19 in the ICU should be asked about possible changes in the functioning of their hearing and referred for emergency treatment in an emergency. – Even one-sided hearing loss has enormous consequences for the quality of life – emphasizes Dr. Stefania Koumpa.
Scientists have previously warned that COVID-19 can infect the ears. One of such teams was scientists from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. A study they carried out in July showed that the coronavirus can infect the ear and the mastoid, the part of the temporal bone that lies behind the auricle.
They drew such conclusions when examining three deceased people diagnosed with COVID-19. The ears of two of these people were colonized by coronavirus – a woman in her eighties and a man who turned 60 (the third victim of the coronavirus was not located in the ears).
According to the researchers, the virus entered the right middle ear in the deceased woman. In the man, the right and left mastoid processes were infected, as well as the middle and right and left middle ear. Scientists warned that before undergoing middle ear treatments, test for coronavirus.
- What are the symptoms of mastoiditis?
Another study pointing to a link between the coronavirus and hearing dysfunction was carried out on 20 asymptomatic patients who had never had hearing problems. After being infected with the coronavirus, their hearing ability deteriorated.
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