WASHINGTON - Sensory symptoms, including loss of taste and smell, sometimes come with COVID-19, but a new study found that COVID-19 can also infect inner ear cells, causing hearing and balance issues in some COVID-19 patients.In the study, published Oct.
29, researchers at MIT and Massachusetts Eye and Ear examined hearing and balance symptoms in patients with COVID-19. The team also studied inner ear tissue and cells in humans and mice to determine the virus’s effect.
Ten adult patients who developed audiovestibular dysfunction within three weeks of COVID-19 diagnosis, confirmed by PCR or serum antibody testing, were studied.