COVID-19 and Hearing Loss
Nov 15, 2021

COVID-19 and Hearing Loss

What preliminary research is revealing

We all have many self-care choices we make daily: wearing a seatbelt, eating a healthy diet, exercising, attending to spiritual well-being, getting an annual physical, meditating, and the list goes on. The reality is that each day, we may face new obstacles in maintaining our personal well-being as well as encounter new ways that allow us to live life to the fullest. We have more resources and more technology available to us than at any other time in human history. So, when we are faced with new challenges, how do we approach our dedication to self-care? How do we adjust when the landscape around us is constantly changing? These certainly are appropriate questions during a year filled with upheaval as the entire world has been rocked by the COVID-19 pandemic. The current health crisis requires us to digest brand new or updated information quickly and make choices to mitigate risk to ourselves and those around us in order to stay safe and well.


Our knowledge about this strain of coronavirus seems to be increasing exponentially each week with information about how a person’s body is affected while the virus is active and after the person has recovered. Dr. Megan Johnson, audiologist and owner of Johnson Audiology, said, “Evidence continues to emerge showing the wide-ranging effects COVID-19 can have on the body’s organs and systems, and it is looking like our ears and sense of hearing may also take a hit from this monster of a virus.” Preliminary research is beginning to suggest that COVID-19 may have lasting negative impacts on neural and auditory pathways, which in turn can lead to hearing loss. 


So what does this have to do with self-care? Johnson Audiology’s Dr. Kari WIckstrom shared, “It is estimated that 48 million Americans have significant hearing loss with 22 million Americans exposed to dangerous levels of sound in the workplace. That’s a little more than 14% of the total population who can’t hear all of the sounds they once heard.” In addition, Americans wait an average of seven years before addressing hearing loss. Dr. Whitney Smith with Johnson Audiology noted, “That’s seven years of a gradually decreasing quality of life, increased risk of harm and hospital stays because of falls since balance is linked to inner ear health, frustration, loneliness. Plus, without the stimulus of sound, your brain ‘forgets’ how to hear, making it even harder to adjust to hearing aids when someone finally addresses hearing loss.” These statistics make it clear that when it comes to self-care, many people minimize hearing and hearing loss. Johnson Audiology’s Dr. Susan Porter observed, “Interestingly, the pandemic has shone a light on many people’s hearing loss, making it impossible to ignore. As we all don face masks to stay safe and compliant, those with hearing loss are forced to confront how much they were lip reading. Now that people’s mouths are covered, the person with hearing loss is really struggling.” So, in the midst of a global pandemic attributed to a virus that is showing no signs of slowing down, it becomes even more important to stay vigilant about addressing your physical self-care, including your hearing.


Preliminary research is starting to be published. For example, in a recent study conducted at South Valley University in Egypt1, a group of patients who were asymptomatic and tested positive for COVID-19 were monitored for two weeks. They ranged in age from 20-50 and presented no known symptoms of the virus, nor did they have any known hearing loss prior to testing positive. This age group was chosen specifically to avoid those with age-related hearing loss. After the two weeks of testing, it was found that the hair cells inside the ear’s cochlea (the seashell-shaped structure that is part of the inner ear and allows us to hear) showed signs of damage, and response to high frequency sounds was significantly reduced. While this test group had no symptoms of the virus, it is important to note that there is still much to learn about the underlying effects of the virus being present in the body, even among those who are asymptomatic. 


In another case, a patient in Hannover, Germany was admitted to the hospital with symptoms of COVID-192. The patient was in the Intensive Care Unit for 13 days during his battle against the virus. Prior to contracting COVID-19, the patient was in good health and had no known hearing loss. After his treatment in the ICU, the patient presented as completely deaf on his right side and with profound hearing loss on his left side. MRI’s showed the patient had suffered from inflammation in and around the cochlea. This inflammation can lead to the cochlea becoming solidified like bone, no longer flexible and functioning. 


Additionally, in most cases of the treatment of symptoms and the effects of COVID-19, the drugs commonly used in fighting the virus can be toxic to the ear and/or the nerves connected to the ear. Doses of certain drugs are known to cause hearing loss and create complications throughout the ear and the functions that the ear provides. It is these drugs, however, that are necessary to treat the symptoms of many known viruses, like COVID-19, as well as various bacterial infections. 


Many unknowns exist with the presence of a new virus or disease, and it can take years to fully understand its origins and its lasting effects. In a time of so much uncertainty, but also so much emphasis on self-care, why not address your hearing loss now? Audiologist Darnell Scafe, with Johnson Audiology, suggested asking these questions: “Are there certain sounds that you have noticed you can’t quite hear as well as you used to? Do you find yourself frustrated in crowded situations because you are always asking people to repeat what was said? Are you struggling in public settings because people are wearing face masks, and you can no longer read their lips? She encouraged, “As the landscape of self-care and health care are ever-changing, why not change your approach to caring for your ears?”


Many things can affect our ears and contribute to hearing loss. They range from exposure to loud sounds, to side effects of drugs, or the emergence of a new strain of virus into our environment. And while many types of hearing loss are irreversible, technology continues to advance in ways that make hearing loss something that can be treated and hearing health improved. Dr. Johnson cautioned, “Don’t wait. Address your hearing loss at first onset so that you can enjoy years of sounds, conversations and being an active participant in your own life. Contact Johnson Audiology and begin a partnership with our team of audiologists that will put you on the path to healthy hearing.”


Notes:

1: ASHA Staff, COVID-19 May Damage Hearing Cells Even in Patients Without Symptoms, (https://leader.pubs.asha.org/do/10.1044/leader.RIB1.25062020.14/full/ )

2: Chantel Degen, MD, Thomas Lenarz, MD & PhD, Kirsten Willenborg, MD, Acute Profound Sensorineural Hearing Loss After COVID-19 Pneumonia, (Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany, https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(20)30596-6/pdf)

Move from the Gunbarrel Road office to a new and larger office will allow Johnson Audiology to help even more people in the Chattanooga region

By Jan Hollingsworth • 09 Jan, 2024
Johnson Audiology is pleased to announce that the practice will be moving one of its Chattanooga area offices from its current location on Gunbarrel Road to a new location at 6830 Lee Highway. The move will take place January 15. “We are extremely excited to be re-locating to a much larger space later this month,” Dr. Megan Johnson, founder and owner of the award-winning practice, says. “About a year ago, we realized that we needed more room to meet the needs of our growing patient base so we could help even more people with hearing loss. We sought a place that would allow us to stay in the East Brainerd/Hamilton Place area so that the office would still be conveniently located for patients. Our Hixson office will remain at 5617 Highway 153, Suite 203 and is also being upgraded with a second sound booth and beautiful new decor. These two strategically located offices mean that we can continue to serve patients who live east and west of the Tennessee River.” Dr. Johnson says that when she identified the building on Lee Highway, she knew it was an ideal site for this next growth leap. “Our company culture is anchored on the premise of always offering an exceptional patient experience,” she says. “Thanks to our wonderful family of Johnson Audiology patients, we have outgrown our current office and have found the perfect location for offering the best care to even more of our Chattanooga neighbors.” The new location offers many positive features that will benefit patients: The office is conveniently located off Lee Highway in the area between Shallowford Road and Hickory Valley Road, directly behind Dr. Keith B. Dressler’s orthodontic practice. It is a stand-alone office that is not shared with any other businesses. The building is more than 4,000 square feet, which is double the space of the current office on Gunbarrel Road. The added square footage will accommodate a spacious patient welcome and reception area, three sound booths for hearing testing, and a private area for patient check-out. The building has exam rooms for four full time audiologists and an audiology assistant, a large front desk area, and a sizeable lab for hearing aid maintenance and repair. The office has ample space for the practice’s growing Cochlear Implant (CI) Program with a dedicated sound booth and exam area just for CI patients. The building design allows for easy circular patient flow throughout the office. The building has a dedicated, 20-space parking lot just for Johnson Audiology patients and additional parking for Johnson Audiology staff. Dr. Johnson mentions that the building was a non-medical office previously, so updates were needed to bring it up to par for a bustling hearing health care clinic. It currently is being remodeled, and the parking lot resurfaced. “We have plans to transition to the new building by January 15 with some final touches to the office’s aesthetics continuing through the spring,” she says.  Dr. Johnson wishes to assure folks that measures are in place to alleviate disruption to the service patients receive during this time and thanks patients in advance for their continued support and understanding during the transition. “The new office is going to be incredible!” she says. Initial correspondence has been delivered to patients about the move. Dr. Johnson says, “Patients who have appointments scheduled in early January or those who need walk-in service for hearing aid maintenance and supplies from now until January 15 should continue visiting the Gunbarrel Road location.” Dr. Johnson says, “In February, we will invite our friends and neighbors in the Chattanooga community to an open house celebration, where we will do an official reveal of the new space!” Johnson Audiology has been faithfully serving the citizens of Chattanooga since the practice opened its doors on October 1, 2009. “As we prepare to celebrate our 15th anniversary this year, the new office location on Lee Highway and the upgrades to the Hixson office are evidence of our commitment to patients.” Dr. Johnson goes on to say, “Chattanoogans have named Johnson Audiology Best of the Best in the category of Favorite Audiologist and Hearing Aid Clinic for 11 years straight. And they consistently name Johnson Audiology in the top three in the category of Best Customer Service among all Chattanooga businesses. We seek to live up to those accolades daily!” Dr. Johnson concludes, “One of our patients, Mr. Van Tenpenny, recently had this to say about us: ‘My visit to Johnson Audiology has been life changing! After decades of hearing loss, I am able to hear normal conversations in any environment.’ It is our highest ideal to be here for Mr. Tenpenny and the thousands of other patients like him who prioritize their hearing for the best quality of life.” Do you want to get on the road to healthy hearing? Johnson Audiology is currently accepting new patients at all locations. Call today to schedule an appointment or book online at www.johnsonaudiology.com/schedule.

What is Tinnitus? Causes and Symptoms

15 Aug, 2023
Tinnitus, often described as a persistent ringing or buzzing sound in the ears, is a common auditory phenomenon that affects millions of people worldwide. While tinnitus is not a disease itself, it can be a symptom of an underlying issue. At Johnson Audiology, we are committed to helping you understand tinnitus and guiding you through the steps to manage this often-distressing condition. Understanding Tinnitus Tinnitus can vary in intensity and pitch, and it may present as a constant sound or come and go intermittently. It can be caused by a range of factors, including exposure to loud noise, age-related hearing loss, earwax blockage, and even certain medications. Tinnitus can impact your quality of life, leading to sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, and emotional distress. Steps to Manage Tinnitus Consult an Audiologist: If you're experiencing tinnitus, the first step is to seek professional help. A university-trained audiologist, a hearing health specialist, can conduct a comprehensive evaluation to determine the underlying cause of your tinnitus and its impact on your hearing. Identify Underlying Causes: Tinnitus often has an underlying cause, such as hearing loss, a medical condition, or exposure to loud noise. An audiologist can help identify these causes and recommend appropriate treatment options. Customized Treatment Plans: Based on the evaluation, your audiologist will develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Treatment approaches may include: Hearing Aids: If hearing loss is contributing to your tinnitus, hearing aids can help by amplifying external sounds and reducing the perception of the tinnitus. More than 90% of those who have tinnitus, also, have hearing loss, even if the loss is mild. Sound Therapy: Sound therapy involves using external sounds, such as white noise or nature sounds, to mask or distract from the tinnitus noise. Counseling: Counseling and education can help you better understand tinnitus and learn coping strategies to manage its impact on your daily life. Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT): TRT combines sound therapy and counseling to help you habituate to the tinnitus and reduce its perception over time. Lifestyle Modifications: Your audiologist may recommend lifestyle changes, such as managing stress, avoiding loud noise exposure, and adopting healthy sleep habits. Monitor and Adjust: Tinnitus management is an ongoing process. Regular follow-up appointments with your audiologist allow for adjustments to treatment plans based on your progress and changing needs. Seek Support: Tinnitus can be emotionally distressing. It is important to seek support from friends, family, and even support groups where you can connect with others who are experiencing similar challenges. While tinnitus can be disruptive, understanding the condition and taking proactive steps to manage it can lead to improved quality of life. At Johnson Audiology, our dedicated team of audiologists is here to guide you through the journey of tinnitus management, providing the expertise and support you need to find relief and regain control over your hearing health. Contact us today to take the first step toward a more peaceful and harmonious auditory experience.
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