It is possible, but unlikely, to develop an ear infection after coronavirus, as ear infections are not a common symptom related to COVID-19.
Profound sensorineural hearing loss was found in 7% of long-term COVID-19 patients. Mild sensorineural hearing loss for 6000Hz was found in 12–13% of patients, similarly to moderate sensorineural hearing loss. Severe sensorineural hearing loss for 6000Hz occurred in 3.4% of long-COVID-19 patients.
It has been shown in some people who have had COVID that the ringing in their ears only lasts a couple of days. However, others may still experience tinnitus weeks or months afterwards.
Hearing impairment, whether conductive or sensorineural, might be due to COVID-19. Conductive hearing loss is mostly due to Eustachian tube dysfunction. However, direct invasion of the middle ear is another possible cause.
Up to 30% of COVID-19 patients have been documented to experience neurological problems as a consequence. The inner ear is one of the neurological systems that the virus may attack, and the resulting damage may cause vertigo and/or tinnitus [5].
The most common symptoms are dizziness, hearing loss (from mild to total loss of hearing) and vertigo – the sensation that you, or the environment around you, is moving. These symptoms can range from mild to severe, with some people feeling that they are unable to remain upright.
Dizziness after a COVID infection can be: A feeling of spinning or an unusual sense of moving often called vertigo. Lightheadedness – feeling like you might faint.
In high-risk settings, they may be considered infectious from 72 hours before symptoms start. People with mild illness are generally considered recovered after 7 days if they have been asymptomatic or have not developed any new symptoms during this time. But some people may be infectious for up to 10 days.
Long COVID, the condition where symptoms that surface after recovering from COVID-19 linger for weeks, months, or even years, is still a mystery to doctors and researchers. The symptoms, such as chronic pain, brain fog, shortness of breath, chest pain, and intense fatigue, can be debilitating.
Current research shows that as many as 1 in 5 people diagnosed with COVID-19 demonstrate forms of imbalance and dizziness. Some even have associated ear fullness or ringing.
Management and Treatment
Sometimes, your healthcare provider may prescribe antivirals or antibiotics to treat your inner ear infection. More often, however, they'll focus on treating your symptoms rather than the infection itself. For example, steroids are often prescribed to ease inflammation.
Clogged ears can also result from swollen or blocked eustachian tubes, which connect the middle ear to the back of the throat. This can happen for brief periods during air travel, but also due to allergies, sinus or ear infections, or other respiratory viruses (including COVID-19).
Repeat negative tests following FDA recommendations. After a positive test result, you may continue to test positive for some time. Some tests, especially PCR tests, may continue to show a positive result for up to 90 days.
A person may have mild symptoms for about one week, then worsen rapidly. Let your doctor know if your symptoms quickly worsen over a short period of time.
Some people, even those with a mild case of COVID-19, have brain fog, which may involve problems with concentration, memory, understanding spoken and written language, and planning and making decisions. Many people have migraine-like headaches (which often do not respond to treatment).
Those with severe COVID-19 may remain infectious beyond 10 days and may need to extend isolation for up to 20 days. People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should isolate through at least day 20.
You can have COVID-19 and spread it to others even if you do not have symptoms. Your COVID-19 test can be negative even if you are infected. Most people do not test positive for the virus until days after exposure. You may also be exposed to the virus afteryou are tested and then get infected.
Negative test result
There's still a chance you could have the virus, so you should follow the advice on how to avoid catching and spreading COVID-19. If you're eligible for COVID-19 treatments and you get a negative result, you must report your result as you may need to do another test.
Causes of lightheadedness may be dehydration, medication side effects, sudden blood pressure drops, low blood sugar, and heart disease or stroke. Feeling woozy, lightheaded, or a little faint is a common complaint among older adults.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV): A common virus responsible for most non-genetic cases of sensorineural hearing loss in infants and children. HSV Types 1 and 2: This can cause both congenital and acquired hearing loss. Children can be infected in-utero if their mother is positive for the virus.
Bacteria or viruses can cause a middle ear infection: Bacteria, like Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae (nontypeable) are the two most common bacteria causing middle ear infection. Viruses, like those that cause colds can cause middle ear infection.
One difference is you have a higher fever with a bacterial ear infection. However, fevers can also happen with viral infections. Often, it's a bit of a waiting game. If the ear infection goes away on its own within a week or so, you can assume it was caused by a virus.