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COVID 19 Tinnitus

Link Between Covid-19 and hearing loss

Does Covid-19 cause hearing loss?

When we talk about Novel Coronavirus, we always discuss its impact on our lungs. Covid-19 is spotted because of common symptoms like cough, cold, fever, fatigue, and sore throat. However, there are other known issues as well that lead to the recognition of the virus. These non-respiratory symptoms are headache, loss of smell, loss of taste, muscle ache, and back pain. Unfortunately, the virus has affected us in a number of other ways as well. Today, let’s look at the connection between Novel Coronavirus and hearing loss.

Now Study shows link between Hearing Loss & Tinnitus:

With a steep rise in the number of Covid-19 patients, it was noticed that several patients were experiencing tinnitus, i.e., ringing in their ears and even hearing loss. Experts have termed it as ‘Covid ear.’ It is learned that the Novel Coronavirus affects the patient’s ear, nose, and throat. Researchers learned that a human ear’s inner tissue contains proteins that are easily susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 virus attack. This can be the primary reason because of which our ear shows signs of hearing loss or tinnitus.

Covid-19 cause hearing loss

When we talk about the Covid ear, we have to carefully examine the symptoms that can add you or your loved ones to the list of Covid ear. Some of the symptoms you should look out for are loss of hearing, tinnitus, loss of balance, and even ear pain. It was also learned that these symptoms were commonly noticed because of body-wide inflammation and the involvement of ENT in Covid-19 patients. This was the probable reason because of which forming a link between Covid-19 and hearing loss was difficult.

New Research found hearing loss strongly associated with COVID-19

While forming a link between Covid-19 and hearing loss was difficult, it was even more difficult to know how long could it last. Here, it was important to note that the severity of symptoms was the determining factor for the persistence of the Covid ear. If the symptoms were mild, the recovery was possible in a short period of time, usually 7-14 days. However, if the symptoms were severe, it was evident that the recovery in this situation would take a longer time. The best way to determine whether you have a Covid ear is to consult an ENT specialist and be sure that the symptoms are not severe.

If you are in doubt and feel that you have a Covid ear, here are some things that should be on your mind.

–       Try to treat the fever with medicines available over the counter.

–       Make sure that you stay hydrated all the time.

–       Make sure that you eat well. Getting an adequate amount of rest is advisable.

–       Look for over-the-counter cough medicines to soothe your cough and even sore throat. Honey can be a good option too!

–       Get medical help if you feel that the symptoms are increasing.

Covid-19 is a problem across the globe, and it is important we take good care of ourselves all the time and even pay attention to our hearing problems so that it does not turn out to be complicated at a later stage.

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Hearing Aid Clinic Tinnitus

What is Tinnitus – Types, Symptoms, Causes & Treatments for Tinnitus

Tinnitus is a condition when one experiences ringing or any other noise in at least one of their ears. These sounds cannot be heard by people around them and can have an impact on your mind. However, one should know that tinnitus is a common problem, and it affects around 20% of the population across the globe, especially as one grows old. Tinnitus can even result from an age-related hearing loss, but with the right treatment, there will be an improvement in one’s hearing but may or may not reduce tinnitus 

Types of Tinnitus

  • Subjective tinnitus: Subjective tinnitus is a common form of tinnitus. Symptoms experienced usually affect individuals that are exposed to excessive noise. This type of tinnitus can appear out of nowhere and disappear in the same manner. It may last for anywhere between three to twelve months at a time. If it turns severe, it may never stop.
  • Neurological tinnitus: This form of tinnitus can be caused by a disorder that is learned to primarily affect the brain’s auditory functions. 
Types, Symptoms, Causes & Treatments for Tinnitus
  • Somatic tinnitus: This form of tinnitus is related to the sensory system. It is related to the sensory system and can worsen with it. 
  • Objective tinnitus: It is the rarest form of tinnitus seen amongst individuals. Vascular deformities or involuntary muscle contractions may cause it. When treated, the tinnitus stops entirely, in most cases. Interestingly, it is the only form of tinnitus that others can hear too. Fortunately, there is a permanent fix for it. 

Symptoms of Tinnitus

When we talk about tinnitus symptoms, we need to focus on sounds the patient hears, especially at night or any period when they are in a quiet environment. The varying sounds include whistling, chirping, screeching, clicking, hissing, roaring, buzzing, pulsing, musical, whooshing, or humming. 

Causes of Tinnitus

  • Hearing loss: If you experience hearing loss, you may have tinnitus. There is a possibility of the same, and you should make sure that you connect with an audiologist in Mumbai at the earliest. Don’t let the condition get worse for you.
  • Ear infection: The ear canals might be blocked by a build-up of fluid, dirt, earwax, or any other material. This leads to a blockage and can eventually cause tinnitus.
  • Severe head or neck injury: When you go through a traumatic experience that affects your head or neck, your inner ear, brain function linked to hearing or hearing nerves can be affected. This can lead to tinnitus. 
  • Medications: When we take a medicine, we do not look at the same side effects. There is a possibility that one of the side effects of the medication might cause or worsen tinnitus. Interestingly, when you stop taking that particular medication, you might notice the unwanted sounds disappear or reduces

Treatment for Tinnitus

  • Sound Therapy: One of the most common treatments available for tinnitus is sound therapy. Masking devices offer temporary relief from tinnitus with the pleasant sound of music. Hearing aids are even used commonly for sound therapy. The primary reason for using hearing aids is that it amplifies environmental sounds, and the entire attention is directed from tinnitus. 
  • Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT): This therapy can help hyperacusis go away. The technique helps in reducing stress and improve the quality of life of the patient. The program involves extensive directive counselling, along with sound therapy. Utilizing the brain’s neuroplasticity, the subconscious, non-auditory areas of one’s brain are retained, allowing the brain to ignore the sound of tinnitus. 
  • Cognitive-behavioral Therapy (CBT): This therapy aims at helping people with depression. However, one cannot expect it to reduce the sound of tinnitus but helps to overcome other related problems