Hearing Loss/Deafness Causes & Prevention Can Chickenpox Cause Hearing Loss? By Jamie Berke facebook Jamie Berke is a deafness and hard of hearing expert. Learn about our editorial process Jamie Berke Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by John Carew, MD on January 09, 2020 twitter linkedin John Carew, MD, is board-certified in otolaryngology and is an adjunct assistant professor at New York University Medical Center. Learn about our Medical Review Board John Carew, MD Updated on January 28, 2020 Print Chickenpox (varicella zoster) is a viral infection that causes an itchy rash with small, fluid-filled blisters. Chickenpox is highly contagious to people who haven't had the disease or been vaccinated against it. Before routine chickenpox vaccination, chickenpox was very common in the United States. According to the CDC, "in the early 1990s, an average of 4 million people got chickenpox, 10,500 to 13,000 were hospitalized, and 100 to 150 died each year." Today, the number of cases and hospitalizations is down dramatically. For most people, chickenpox is a mild disease. Still, it's better to get vaccinated. The chickenpox vaccine is a safe, effective way to prevent chickenpox and its possible complications. lindaobrien PHOTOGRAPHY / Getty Images Chicken Pox and Hearing Loss In adults older than 60, the chickenpox virus can reactivate itself in a condition known as shingles (herpes zoster). One symptom of shingles is hearing loss. If an adult has not been vaccinated for shingles, the virus can also reactivate in a rare disease called Ramsay Hunt syndrome. Ramsay Hunt affects the nerve near the inner ear and causes a painful rash. This painful rash can happen on the eardrum, ear canal, or the earlobe. The syndrome produces weakness of the face one side of the face. In addition, generally, temporary hearing loss can happen in one ear. Treatment involves steroids or antiviral drugs. Vaccinations A vaccine is available for chickenpox and shingles. It is still possible to contract a case of chickenpox even after receiving the vaccine, but it usually a very mild case. Even if you do contract chickenpox, there is a significant reduction in the risk of complications from the condition if you were previously vaccinated, including decreased risk of acute complications like otitis media as well as bacterial superinfection or shingles. When to See a Doctor If you suspect that you or your child has chickenpox, consult your doctor. He or she usually can diagnose chickenpox by examining the rash and by noting the presence of accompanying symptoms. Your doctor can also prescribe medications to lessen the severity of chickenpox and treat complications, if necessary. Be sure to call ahead for an appointment and mention you think you or your child has chickenpox, to avoid waiting and possibly infecting others in a waiting room. Also, be sure to let your doctor know if any of these complications occur: The rash spreads to one or both eyes.The rash gets very red, warm or tender, indicating a possible secondary bacterial skin infection.The rash is accompanied by dizziness, disorientation, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, tremors, loss of muscle coordination, worsening cough, vomiting, stiff neck or a fever higher than 102 F (38.9 C).Anyone in the household is immune deficient or younger than 6 months old. Chicken Pox Doctor Discussion Guide Get our printable guide for your next doctor's appointment to help you ask the right questions. Download PDF Email the Guide Send to yourself or a loved one. Sign Up This Doctor Discussion Guide has been sent to {{form.email}}. There was an error. Please try again. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chickenpox vaccination: what everyone should know. Updated August 7, 2019. National Organization for Rare Disorders. Ramsay Hunt syndrome. Updated 2011. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chickenpox (Varicella): signs and symptoms. Updated December 31, 2018. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chicken Pox (Varicella): complications. Updated December 31, 2018. Additional Reading Incidence/Risk Factors. RamsayHunt.org. Ramsay Hunt syndrome. National Institutes of Health. Shingles. National Institutes of Health.