One among every eight people who suffer from COVID-19 report experiencing acute hearing loss.

Fortunately, in most people the hearing gets restored as they recover from the infection. Doctors indicate that the blood circulation problems posed by the COVID-19 virus, may impair blood circulation to the ear and the blood vessels and nerves associated with it, resulting in sudden hearing loss.

Additionally, in other viral diseases such as the flu and herpes, it was observed that the virus can enter the ear canal and directly disable the auditory nerve, which may the case with COVID as well.

If you or a loved one experience hearing loss associated with COVID, here is what you can do about it:

• Try to not be alarmed or anxious, for stress on exacerbates the hearing loss.
• Ensure that you limit your intake of salt, sugar, and caffeine as these may spike the blood pressure, exacerbating the hearing loss.
• Limit your exposure to loud noise and music to avoid triggering issues with the ear and its constituents.

If the condition does not abate within a few weeks of recovery from COVID-19, contact your ENT specialist at the earliest possible instance to get the condition diagnosed and rule out other problems.

Ensure that your vitals such as sugar levels, blood pressure and cholesterol levels are kept under control for these can impair not only your hearing health, but your overall wellbeing if left unchecked.