Add tinnitus, vertigo and hearing loss to the ever-expanding list of COVID-19 long-term effects. New research published in the International Journal of Audiology reported an association between COVID-19 and auditory problems.
The study showed nearly 15% of those who recovered from COVID-19 experienced tinnitus; about 8% reported hearing loss; and more than 7% developed rotatory vertigo, which causes dizziness similar to being on a merry-go-round.
Tinnitus — a ringing, buzzing or hissing sound in one or both ears — made headlines when Texas Roadhouse restaurant chain chief executive officer Ken Taylor recently died by suicide after suffering from post-COVID symptoms, including severe tinnitus.
How long COVID patients experience tinnitus varies. “Some have reported the tinnitus to be short lasting while symptomatic, [and] others have reported from weeks to months of tinnitus following COVID-19,” said audiologist Deyanira Gonzalez at Baylor College of Medicine. But not everyone with COVID-19 experiences tinnitus, he said, explaining that It can be hard to determine if tinnitus is a direct result from COVID-19 or if other factors are in play, such as existing hearing loss, noise exposure or middle ear fluid.
SOURCE: AOL.com March 22, 2021