If you can get COVID-19 through your nose and mouth, why not your ears?
If you can get COVID-19 through your nose and mouth, why not your ears?
This explainer is more than 90 days old. Some of the information might be out of date or no longer relevant. Browse our homepage for up to date content or request information about a specific topic from our team of scientists.
This article has been translated from its original language. Please reach out if you have any feedback on the translation.
Getting infected with COVID-19 through the ear is not as likely as getting infected through the nose, mouth, and eyes. Experts believe this is because the surface of the outer ear canal is more like the skin on the rest of our bodies, which acts as a protective barrier that makes it more difficult for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, causing COVID-19, to enter. In contrast, the tissues lining the surface of the nose, mouth, and eyes are mucous membranes (or a thin lining of cells that secrete mucus), which are an easier way for SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19, to enter. Like the nose, mouth, and eyes, ears are connected to the upper part of the throat and respiratory tract. Doctors and researchers are currently looking into the risks of COVID-19 transmission when patients have open ear injuries or are getting invasive ear procedures (ex. surgery), as both the patients and the healthcare providers should be adequately protected from exposure. For the average person, ears remain a less likely pathway for getting COVID-19. There are currently not specific recommendations for preventing transmission through ears. Preventative public health recommendations remain focused on face coverings over the nose and mouth, eye protection for people who may be at higher risk of exposure (ex. frontline workers), hand hygiene (ex. avoid touching the face, clean hands with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizers), and physical distancing.
Getting infected with COVID-19 through the ear is not as likely as getting infected through the nose, mouth, and eyes. Experts believe this is because the surface of the outer ear canal is more like the skin on the rest of our bodies, which acts as a protective barrier that makes it more difficult for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, causing COVID-19, to enter. In contrast, the tissues lining the surface of the nose, mouth, and eyes are mucous membranes (or a thin lining of cells that secrete mucus), which are an easier way for SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19, to enter. Like the nose, mouth, and eyes, ears are connected to the upper part of the throat and respiratory tract. Doctors and researchers are currently looking into the risks of COVID-19 transmission when patients have open ear injuries or are getting invasive ear procedures (ex. surgery), as both the patients and the healthcare providers should be adequately protected from exposure. For the average person, ears remain a less likely pathway for getting COVID-19. There are currently not specific recommendations for preventing transmission through ears. Preventative public health recommendations remain focused on face coverings over the nose and mouth, eye protection for people who may be at higher risk of exposure (ex. frontline workers), hand hygiene (ex. avoid touching the face, clean hands with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizers), and physical distancing.
Publication
What our experts say
Getting infected with COVID-19 through the ear is not as likely as getting infected through the nose, mouth, and eyes. Experts believe this is because the surface of the outer ear canal is more like the skin on the rest of our bodies, which acts as a protective barrier that makes it more difficult for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, causing COVID-19, to enter. In contrast, the tissues lining the surface of the nose, mouth, and eyes are mucous membranes (or a thin lining of cells that secrete mucus), which are an easier way for SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19, to enter.
Like the nose, mouth, and eyes, ears are connected to the upper part of the throat and respiratory tract. Doctors and researchers are currently looking into the risks of COVID-19 transmission when patients have open ear injuries or are getting invasive ear procedures (ex. surgery), as both the patients and the healthcare providers should be adequately protected from exposure.
For the average person, ears remain a less likely pathway for getting COVID-19. There are currently not specific recommendations for preventing transmission through ears. Preventative public health recommendations remain focused on face coverings over the nose and mouth, eye protection for people who may be at higher risk of exposure (ex. frontline workers), hand hygiene (ex. avoid touching the face, clean hands with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizers), and physical distancing.
Getting infected with COVID-19 through the ear is not as likely as getting infected through the nose, mouth, and eyes. Experts believe this is because the surface of the outer ear canal is more like the skin on the rest of our bodies, which acts as a protective barrier that makes it more difficult for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, causing COVID-19, to enter. In contrast, the tissues lining the surface of the nose, mouth, and eyes are mucous membranes (or a thin lining of cells that secrete mucus), which are an easier way for SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19, to enter.
Like the nose, mouth, and eyes, ears are connected to the upper part of the throat and respiratory tract. Doctors and researchers are currently looking into the risks of COVID-19 transmission when patients have open ear injuries or are getting invasive ear procedures (ex. surgery), as both the patients and the healthcare providers should be adequately protected from exposure.
For the average person, ears remain a less likely pathway for getting COVID-19. There are currently not specific recommendations for preventing transmission through ears. Preventative public health recommendations remain focused on face coverings over the nose and mouth, eye protection for people who may be at higher risk of exposure (ex. frontline workers), hand hygiene (ex. avoid touching the face, clean hands with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizers), and physical distancing.
Context and background
Both children and adults have wondered about why it is okay to leave the ears uncovered when wearing face coverings to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. This is because getting infected with COVID-19 is not as likely to happen through the ears, compared to through the nose, mouth and eyes. Masks and face coverings do not just protect the wearer, but are important measures to reduce the risks of infecting others. The most basic face coverings typically cover the nose and mouth, because we are more likely to infect others through respiratory droplets coming out of our nose and mouth when we sneeze, cough, speak, exhale, etc.
Both children and adults have wondered about why it is okay to leave the ears uncovered when wearing face coverings to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. This is because getting infected with COVID-19 is not as likely to happen through the ears, compared to through the nose, mouth and eyes. Masks and face coverings do not just protect the wearer, but are important measures to reduce the risks of infecting others. The most basic face coverings typically cover the nose and mouth, because we are more likely to infect others through respiratory droplets coming out of our nose and mouth when we sneeze, cough, speak, exhale, etc.
Resources
- Can I Get COVID-19 Through My Eyes or Ears? (US News)
- COVID-19 and Ear Surgery (American Academy of Otolaryngology)
- COVID-19 in the Ear: Have You Heard About the Risk for HCPs? (MedPage Today)
- Can I Get COVID-19 Through My Eyes or Ears? (US News)
- COVID-19 and Ear Surgery (American Academy of Otolaryngology)
- COVID-19 in the Ear: Have You Heard About the Risk for HCPs? (MedPage Today)
