121 Covid-19 survivors were surveyed by the University of Manchester eight weeks after they were discharged, and it was found that one of the lingering complications of the coronavirus is hearing loss.
The coronavirus infection is mild in four out of five cases but in severe incidences, some appear to be coming down with what experts are calling “post-Covidd syndrome”.
16 of the 121 patients surveyed complained that their hearing was worse, 8 of whom reported deterioration and another 8 developed tinnitus, which is hearing a ringing sound in your ear.
The author of the study, Professor Kevin Munro, said: “We already know viruses such as measles, mumps and meningitis can cause hearing loss and coronaviruses can damage the nerves that carry information to and from the brain.”
He noted that the auditory neuropathy, which is a hearing disorder where the transmission along the auditory nerve to the brain is impaired, could be a feature.
This makes it difficult for the affected to conversate when there are lots of background noises.
In severe cases, patients could be left struggling to swallow, walk or even breathe.