We know: Covid-19, the disease caused by infection with the Sars-Cov-2 coronavirus, can be responsible for many symptoms … which are sometimes surprising. Thus, in October 2020, doctors reported the case of a 45-year-old man who suffered sudden deafness (or “sudden onset sensorineural hearing loss” in medical parlance) due to Covid -19. And earlier, impacts of the Sars-Cov-2 coronavirus on smell and taste had been recorded.
According to a recent study from Anglia Ruskin University (in England), Covid-19 could also worsen tinnitus in people who suffer from it.
Tinnitus: they have a (heavy) psychological impact
About 25% of French people suffer from tinnitus: these parasitic noises (which can be permanent or temporary, affect one or both ears, and resemble a hissing, buzzing or clicking sound) occur due to damage to the inner ear – and more specifically, hair cells. In question, there is often a sound trauma, an emotional shock or the prolonged intake of an ototoxic drug – aspirin, antibiotics, anti-cancer drugs, antimalarials …
British researchers (who published their work in the specialized journal Frontiers in Public Health) worked with a group of 3,103 tinnitus patients living in 48 countries around the world. They thus discovered that in the event of symptoms of Covid-19, 40% of patients noted a worsening of their tinnitus.
Worse: Scientists have also observed that in some cases tinnitus appears alongside symptoms of Covid-19 in patients who have never had tinnitus before. Which would suggest that tinnitus could be a symptom of “persistent Covid” …
Tinnitus is not trivial: thus, several studies have shown that patients suffering from tinnitus are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety or mood disorders.
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