Covid-19 has the potential to reduce hearing function, this is the explanation page all

By: Monik Alamanda

TIME this, many people equate Covid-19 with respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath and coughing, and decreased sense of smell. However, SARS-CoV-2, the cause of Covid-19, can actually attack other parts of the body, including the sense of hearing.

A number of case reports and studies from various parts of the world have reported cases of hearing loss in Covid-19 positive patients, either those complained by the patient or only known at the time of examination.

So far there have been 249 reports of hearing loss in positive or suspected Covid-19 patients from 50 countries. Early diagnosis and treatment by ear nose throat doctor head neck surgery (ENT-KL) can give positive results in the form of symptom improvement.

ENT-KL experts have long known that viral infections, such as herpes, cytomegalovirus, or other coronaviruses for example, can cause sudden hearing loss, either in only one or both ears.

Also read: Study: Hearing Loss to Vertigo, Associated with Covid-19

The symptoms of hearing loss that appear vary depending on the type of virus that causes them. Research results regarding hearing loss vary widely.

However, Fetterman and colleagues from the University of Southern California estimate that early therapy started less than a month after the onset of symptoms can be positive in 50% of cases and decrease by 25% if therapy is started thereafter.

Supporting theory

Since the beginning of the pandemic, many experts have estimated that SARS-CoV-2 can also cause hearing loss.

This theory is then supported by several reports of hearing loss cases in Covid-19 patients from various hospitals or other health centers in various parts of the world.

A report from Thailand in March 2020 stated that there were cases of hearing loss in Covid-19 patients. Since then, similar cases have also been reported from various countries around the world: Egypt, the United States, Qatar, Germany, Turkey, Australia, Britain, Brazil, Ireland, China, Japan, Iran and other countries.

Indeed, reports of hearing loss in Covid-19 patients are not as many as other symptoms. Until now, there has been no report of a similar case in Indonesia.

Seventeen case reports from 14 countries said 32 Covid-19 patients had decreased hearing. In addition, 11 other studies in 50 countries showed 217 cases of hearing loss out of a total of 6,626 Covid-19 patients (3.3%).

Reported cases range from mild hearing loss to complete deafness, in one or both ears. So far, the patients reported are in the age range 18-81 years.

Apart from hearing loss, some patients also complain of other ear problems in the form of ringing sounds, vertigo or dizziness, and ear pain.

Also read: Again, Covid-19 Patients Have Permanent Hearing Loss

In some cases, symptoms of hearing loss appear before, at the same time, or after the respiratory symptoms that are common in Covid-19 cases.

In other cases, ear disorders were reported as the only symptom of Covid-19.

In addition to voice transmission disorders, SARS-CoV-2 is also thought to attack the inner ear as well as the auditory center in the brain stem and cerebellum directly. Another theory states the presence of auditory nerve damage caused by inflammation caused by SARS-CoV-2 along nerve pathways.

The theory of ischemia states that blood clots due to SARS-CoV-2 can also inhibit the transfer of oxygen to the hearing organs. These theories explain the potential for permanent hearing loss to become permanent in Covid-19 cases.

Case in asymptomatic person

Interestingly, hearing loss was also objectively found in people without symptoms (OTG) Covid-19. A research in Egypt checks hearing function objectively in 20 OTG patients aged 20-50 years and compared them with a control group.

Compared to the control group, the researchers found a decrease in the average high-frequency hearing function in the OTG group. Frequency> 4000Hz is a voice range that is higher than everyday conversation. This explains the patient’s absence of hearing loss complaints.

However, this study suggests the potential for undetectable hearing loss in Covid-19 patients. Although it does not always interfere with daily activities, this study shows the importance of hearing function tests in Covid-19 patients.

Also read: Hearing, the Last Functioning Senses Before Death

Reflecting on cases before the Covid-19 period, examination by an ENT-KL specialist for sudden hearing loss has a golden time.

Although not all cases can return to their original hearing function, early diagnosis of hearing loss is important for patients because prompt intervention in viral cases can improve hearing function. This is also thought to apply to hearing loss in Covid-19.

Indonesian context

Currently, there are no reported cases of hearing loss in Covid-19 patients in Indonesia, which could be due to the absence of research on this in Indonesia. For this reason, research on hearing loss in Covid-19 in Indonesia is needed.

Some of the difficulties that may be faced by researchers and doctors are that hearing function checks must be carried out in a quiet or soundproof closed room, thereby increasing the risk of Covid-19 transmission.

Hearing examination locations dedicated to Covid-19 patients can be an alternative.

However, considering the greater risk of not being checked by an ENT-KL doctor, early hearing function tests should be done immediately in people with positive Covid-19 or sudden hearing loss.

Monik Alamanda

Research Assistant for EXPLAIN study, Eijkman-Oxford Clinical Research Unit (EOCRU)

This article was published on Kompas.com in collaboration with The Conversation Indonesia. The article above is taken from the original article entitled “COVID-19 has the potential to reduce the patient’s hearing function“. Contents outside the responsibility of Kompas.com.

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