Covid-19 creates hearing and balance disorders, worsens tinnitus: study

After loss of taste, respiratory distress, researchers have found evidence that Covid-19 also causes hearing and balance problems, as well as worsening tinnitus symptoms. There are many factors that may play a role in the relationship between Covid-19 and hearing. Covid-19 is known to have inflammatory effects, including in neurological tissue, which can exacerbate other problems, said Colleen Le Prell, of the University of Texas at Dallas.

“Inflammation can damage the auditory and vestibular pathways of the peripheral and central nervous system, just as it damages the smell and taste pathways, as well as other neural systems,” Le Prell said.

Additionally, several studies suggest that the mental anxiety caused by the pandemic, such as lockdown stress and concerns about the negative impacts of masks on audibility and accessibility of communication, may amplify the hearing impacts of the patient. virus. This is especially true for people who already had tinnitus before the pandemic.

“The increased annoyance caused by tinnitus has been linked to reports of loneliness, sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression, irritability and financial worries related to the pandemic,” Le Prell said. “In other words, participants who experienced a general increase in stress reported that their tinnitus was more bothersome than before the pandemic.”

Some early experimental treatments, such as chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine (which are not recommended by the National Institutes of Health), may also have hearing side effects, especially in patients with kidney problems.

“When the kidneys are not functioning properly, the drug may not (be) metabolized and eliminated from the body as quickly, which can increase physiological concentrations of the drug and the risk of side effects,” Le Prell said.

“Old age is often accompanied by decreased kidney function, and Covid-19 can cause kidney dysfunction, which increases the risk that a patient receiving experimental treatment for Covid-19 will be at risk for ototoxicity, “noted Le Prell.

Prell presented the study at the 180th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America, which will be held virtually June 8-10.