Gibson, a registered nurse with a clinical background in neonatal intensive care, experienced acute hearing loss in one ear, along with vertigo and tinnitus, in 2022 five weeks after a mild Covid infection.
Updated: Fri, 4/14/23 at 02:09pm
Sydney: People with mild Covid-19 infection may be at risk for sudden deafness and hearing loss, a study suggests.
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) — also known as sudden deafness — is a little-known and poorly understood form of Covid-19, says fully vaccinated nursing instructor Kim Gibson. 19 side effects that doctors don’t even list as common. University of South Australia.
Gibson, a registered nurse with a clinical background in neonatal intensive care, experienced acute hearing loss in one ear, along with vertigo and tinnitus, in 2022 five weeks after a mild Covid infection.
Her experience was published in BMJ Case Reports.
“My experience shows that people who are even mildly infected with Covid-19 can face potentially permanent and debilitating long-term effects. High-quality, person-centred care is critical.”
Previous studies have linked SSNHL to Covid-19 and potential side effects of Covid vaccinations, but the evidence remains limited, Gibson said. Gibson said that despite her work in health education, she was unaware that Covid-19 could cause hearing loss.
“This was a shocking experience for me and had a major impact on my quality of life for several months as I had never had any hearing problems before; not even an ear infection.
“I was unable to drive while experiencing severe vertigo. I needed to reduce my workload, negotiate flexible hours with my employer, and take time off from study. This was all due to a mild Covid-19 infection.
“I’m worried that the hearing loss will be permanent and I’ll need hearing aids. I’m very nervous about a second Covid-19 infection right now. What if I experience this again, or worse?”
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (also known as sudden deafness) occurs when you lose hearing very quickly, usually in only one ear, according to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
It can happen immediately or last for several days. People may develop mild hearing impairment or complete hearing loss, which may be temporary or permanent.
After experiencing sudden hearing loss, Gibson was referred to an otolaryngologist (otolaryngologist, or ear, nose and throat doctor) who confirmed SSNHL.
A course of oral prednisolone and betahistine was prescribed, and Gibson’s hearing slowly improved over the next few months, although she continued to experience intermittent tinnitus.
“Evidence on the short- and long-term effects of Covid-19 and vaccines is still emerging, and the purpose of this paper is to highlight little-known side effects of the virus,” Gibson said.
“We believe that clinicians should consider sudden hearing loss as a potential side effect of Covid-19 when talking to patients. High-dose corticosteroids are the recommended first-line treatment for SSNHL and it is important that GPs see patients as soon as symptoms appear. Referral to a specialist.
“Hearing loss and associated symptoms can have a major impact on a person’s quality of life—as was the case in mine—and are strongly associated with anxiety and depression,” she noted
A study of hearing loss during the pandemic showed that about a third of SSNHL patients tested positive for Covid-19 when they were referred to an audiologist. Other studies reported an increase in SSNHL in 2020 and 2021, including in asymptomatic populations.
