Epidemiological studies have revealed a correlation between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and auditory dysfunction. Here, we demonstrate that intranasal infection of K18-ACE2 mice with four SARS-CoV-2 strains (original, Delta, BA.1, and BA.2) enables the virus to directly invade the inner ear, specifically targeting spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs), leading to increased phase separation and apoptosis in SGNs. Direct infection with different SARS-CoV-2 strai...