COVID-19 social distancing is really helpful in preventing further infections as the global pandemic continues. However, experts said that the activity can also negatively affect a specific hearing condition.
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The Independent UK reported that researchers claim that social distancing can aggravate tinnitus. NIH explain that it is a hearing condition that causes noises, such as buzzing, ringing, or hissing sounds in the ears.
They claim that social distancing worsens 46% of the study's respondents who suffer from the hearing condition. Experts said that this is because the activity has led to significant changes to lifestyle and work.
"Some of the changes brought about by Covid-19 appear to have had a negative impact on the lives of people with Tinnitus and participants in this study reported that Covid-19 symptoms are worsening or, in some cases, even initiating Tinnitus and hearing loss," said Dr. Eldre Beukes, the study's lead author.
What is Tinnitus?
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) explained that tinnitus is not a disease. It is a symptom that warns the body that something is wrong in the auditory system.
Earwax blocking the ear canal can easily cause ringing and hissing sounds. However, experts warned that the symptom can also lead to a number of health conditions such as Ménière's disease, brain tumors, thyroid abnormalities, hormonal changes in women, and noise-induced hearing loss.
COVID-19 symptoms can trigger Tinnitus
Aside from social distancing, researchers also explained that some of the study's participants claimed that their condition was triggered by the onset of COVID-19 symptoms.
The study, which is supported by the American Tinnitus Association and British Tinnitus Association, suggests that the hearing condition can be a long term coronavirus symptom in some cases. Stress can also affect the health issue.
Experts claimed that stress factors during the global pandemic, such as financial concerns, trouble sleeping, loneliness, and fears of catching the viral disease, triggers Tinnitus in 32% of the study's respondents.
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Written by: Giuliano de Leon.
