Sudden Hearing Loss From COVID-19

A new Case-Report published by the BMJ on October 13, 2020, focused on the first case of Sudden Onset Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL) in the UK. Hearing loss and tinnitus are symptoms that have been seen in patients with both COVID-19 and influenza, virus but have not been highlighted. The exact pathophysiology of the disease is still unknown, with the most likely causative factor being following a viral infection.

These authors suggest that 'patients are asked about SSNHL when applicable, and any patient reporting acute hearing loss should be referred to otolaryngology on an emergency basis.'