Researchers have discovered a link between COVID-19 and hearing loss, according to a study published in the Lancet's eClinicalMedicine journal in September 2024. This finding has changed our understanding of the virus's diverse impacts on human health.
“Covid-19 may be an independent risk factor for hearing loss and sudden sensorineural hearing loss among young adults.” —Hye Jun Kim, Ph.D. candidate at Seoul National University and an author of the study
Why it matters
Researchers found that COVID-19 increases the risk of hearing loss in young adults by more than 3.5 times, impacting their quality of life for years.
By the numbers
The study examined an enormous population of 6,716,879 young adults aged 20 to 39, revealing the following:
- 3.44x higher incidence of hearing loss in COVID-positive individuals
- 3.52x higher risk of sudden sensorineural hearing loss
- Zero protective factors found, even among fully vaccinated individuals
The challenge
Traditional assumptions about COVID-19's impact on younger, healthier populations are being dramatically rewritten. Researchers were astonished to find increased hearing loss risks across all demographic groups, even among those without pre-existing conditions or lifestyle risk factors.
“We could not find someone who did not have an increase in the hearing loss risk” — Seogsong Jeong, author of the study, Assistant Professor, Korea University
How it works
Coronavirus can damage hearing through multiple mechanisms:
- Attaching to ACE2 receptors in inner ear structures. ACE2 receptors are proteins found in the inner ear that serve as entry points for the SARS-CoV-2 virus
- Causing inflammation in cochlear sensory cells
- Potentially lingering in ear tissues for extended periods
A closer look
While the study establishes a strong correlation, researchers caution against assuming direct causation. Limitations include:
- Reliance on PCR tests
- Potential underreporting of asymptomatic cases
- Inability to track long-term hearing loss duration
The takeaway
COVID-19 represents a previously underestimated risk for hearing loss that demands further investigation and awareness.
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