what the heck is Sufjan Stevens up to these days?

Is there a thread on recent mysterious illnesses amongst musicians? Paul Simon suddenly lost hearing in one ear after a bad case of covid. I haven't seen anyone join the dots in the media, but I know two people who have severe hearing damage as a result of covid infections, and there is research suggesting that 8% of long covid sufferers have hearing loss, 17% with new onset tinnitus.

I know a couple of people that have had hearing issues post covid. In fact, I remember an interview with a classical musician that aired early on in the pandemic where she was complaining of tinnitus and was all but mocked for her theory it was connected to covid/vaccination.

IIRC, my mom came down with the flu, maybe strep throat. Rather than resting, she got on a flight from Denver to Phoenix for a business meeting. By the time she got back home, she had to go to the hospital. She spent at least two or three months in severe pain, paralyzed.

Vaccines did not enter into it.

In the early days of the covid vaccines, there was plenty of exploration around potential links btw reported hearing loss / tinnitus and (a) covid and/or (b) the vaccines. I remember the conclusions being that it seemed possibly more anecdotal than supported by evidence - but not sure if there were rigorous studies yet at that time, maybe more have been done since.

Yeah, there's been a few:

"In the March [2021] issue of the International Journal of Audiology, researchers reviewed published case studies & other reports of COVID-19 symptoms, & they estimate that hearing loss has occurred in about 8% of patients who had COVID, while about 15% developed tinnitus."

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/how-covid-19-can-damage-all-five-senses

The most terrifying story I have is from someone I encountered professionally. Mid 30's, vaccinated. Suffered a mild covid infection in Nov 21 which developed into severe sinusitis and ear infection. The ear infection persisted after he tested negative and eventually developed into severe tinnitus, hyperacuity, migraines and 80% hearing loss in one ear, worsened after another infection in March 22. He was ineligible for a hearing aid as the doctors said "the infection is still eating away at your inner ear."

And this is one of the reasons I still wear a mask.

i have a friend who suffered hearing loss in one ear after his bout with Covid, which was not that severe, and he'd been vaccinated as well. the media isn't doing a very good job discussing aftereffects, unfortunately. people are desperate to get back to normal.

xp Well, this is the "Conclusion" of that Int'; Journal of Audiology report... just pointing it out:

Conclusion

There are multiple reports of audio-vestibular symptoms associated with COVID-19. However, there is a dearth of high-quality studies comparing COVID-19 cases and controls.

Yeah, thats an understatement. Neil Young knows the score.

Note the date

Kudos to @Neilyoung who requires a COVID test before his concert 👏🏻👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/8mIMzUDJsQ

— Dalia Hasan (@DaliaHasanMD) September 17, 2023

And KISS are using some kind of advanced UV based antiviral treatment before and after each show.

https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/kiss-took-vancouver-firms-treatment-to-avoid-covid-and-cancelling-world-tour-manager

xp Well, this is the "Conclusion" of that Int'; Journal of Audiology report... just pointing it out

Ah, there's been a shit ton more research since then. Too much to link to, but this gives some indication.

https://www.google.com/search?q=covid+hearing+loss+tinnitus&oq=covid+hearing+loss+tinnitus