ABSTRACT
Introduction Covid-19 infections often lead to odour (33-98%), and taste (50%) disorders. In 1-3%, the patients declare a hearing loss. Studies in asymptomatic, PCR-positive patients showed a significant hearing loss in the high frequency range. The aim of our follow-up study is to objectify a possible hearing loss in patients tested positive for Covid-19 and to follow it over time. Methods The following tests will be done within the study: ENT examination, audiometry, TPOAE and DPOAE, ERA and ASSR. As a control group, we used ISO 7029:2017 for normal hearing. The examinations are performed after 1, 3 and 6 months after the initial presentation. Results So far 48 patients have been included in the study. In the preliminary analysis, 12 patients reported a subjective hearing loss due to Covid-19 infection. In two patients deafness could be verified. The air conduction threshold (0.25-6kHz) is significantly worse on both sides than in normal hearing patients (p<0.05);especially in the high frequency range (≥4kHz). In the ASSR, a significantly higher threshold for 0.5;1 and 2kHz (p<0.05) was found compared to the normal values. In stimulation with 4kHz only the threshold on the left is higher, on the right a significance is missed. Conclusion In our preliminary analysis, 25% of patients reported subjective new hearing loss. Objectively, a significant hearing loss in the high frequency range on both sides was found. This could be related to the Covid-19 infection. Thus, a hearing loss due to a Covid-19 infection should be considered and further diagnostics and therapy should be initiated.
ABSTRACT
This article presents a case of sudden bilateral deafness in the context of a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) infection and resultant coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). After treatment in the intensive care unit for acute respiratory distress syndrome and acute kidney failure, hearing ability had drastically changed. While hearing had been subjectively normal before the infection, deafness was now measured on the left and profound hearing loss on the right ear. The patient was treated with cochlea implants on the left and a hearing aid in the right ear. The hearing loss is most likely a complication of COVID-19.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Cochlear Implantation , Cochlear Implants , Deafness , Hearing Loss, Sudden , Speech Perception , Deafness/diagnosis , Deafness/surgery , Hearing Loss, Sudden/diagnosis , Hearing Loss, Sudden/etiology , Humans , RNA, Viral , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
This article presents a case of sudden bilateral deafness in the context of a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) infection and resultant coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). After treatment in the intensive care unit for acute respiratory distress syndrome and acute kidney failure, hearing ability had drastically changed. While hearing had been subjectively normal before the infection, deafness was now measured on the left and profound hearing loss on the right ear. The patient was treated with cochlea implants on the left and a hearing aid in the right ear. The hearing loss is most likely a complication of COVID-19.