Coronavirus survivors could lose hearing along with sense of smell and taste, doctors have warned.
Experts from the University of Manchester said some people reported poor hearing after beating the virus.
Others were said to have experienced tinnitus - a prolonged ringing in the ears.
It comes after loss of taste and smell were added to the official list of coronavirus symptoms.
The University of Manchester study surveyed 121 adults admitted to Wythenshawe Hospital.
They were then questioned about their ongoing symptoms over an eight-week period after being discharged from hospital.
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Eight people reported a deterioration in their hearing and a further eight people reported tinnitus.
Professor Kevin Munro, Professor of Audiology at The University of Manchester and NIHR Manchester BRC Hearing Health Theme Lead said: “We already know that viruses such as measles, mumps and meningitis can cause hearing loss and coronaviruses can damage the nerves that carry information to and from the brain.
“It is possible, in theory, that Covid-19 could cause problems with parts of the auditory system including the middle ear or cochlea.
“For example, auditory neuropathy, a hearing disorder where the cochlea is functioning but transmission along the auditory nerve to the brain is impaired could be a feature.”
Professor Munro said the virus could also impact on pre-existing hearing loss and tinnitus and said there was an "urgent need for high-quality studies to investigate the acute and temporary effects of Covid-19 on hearing and the audiovestibular system".
Some people with coronavirus are finding that their symptoms linger for months.
Others have chest pain or joint pain.
In a blog post published by the British Medical Journal, Paul Garner said he had had the disease for seven weeks, and his symptoms had been waxing and waning.
He reported a "muggy head, upset stomach, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), pins and needles, breathlessness, dizziness and arthritis in the hands."
