ABSTRACT
Background: Several viral infections may lead to hearing loss. It>s still unknown whether COVID-19 has effects on the auditory system or not. In this regard, to evaluate the possibility of sudden sensorineural hearing loss due to COVID-19, this study aimed to report sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) in patients with COVID-19 in Iran. Case Report: The patient was a 7-year-old girl diagnosed with COVID-19 and sensorineural hearing loss. An audiogram revealed normal hearing in the right ear and severe sensorineural hearing loss in the left ear. The tympanometry test result was bilateral type A. The treatment started with prednisolone (1 mg/kg/d). The audiogram of follow-up pure-tone audiometry did not reveal any improvement. Conclusion(s): SSNHL appears to be a possible complication of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. COVID-19 infection could have deleterious effects on cochlear hair cells and eight nerve functions. Therefore, audiological monitoring should be initiated in patients presenting with COVID-19.Copyright © 2023 The Author(s);Published by Kerman University of Medical Sciences.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Due to the vital importance of early diagnosis and intervention of congenital hearing loss, the aim of this study was to compare the rate of newborn hearing screening before and after the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine. Material(s) and Method(s): In this study, the data related to 6144 newborns during two 18-month time periods before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine, was analyzed. Result(s): From all visited newborns, 3770 and 2374 referred to the centre before and after the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in the results of screening and the referral rate of neonates before and after the pandemic (p = 0.00). The results showed that both the residents of urban and rural regions visited for newborn hearing screening less frequently after the onset of the pandemic, but no statistically significant difference was shown between the number of boys and girls before and after the pandemic (p = 0.72). Conclusion(s): Our results help gain new insights regarding the impacts of disruptive events such as pandemics on the implementation of health screening programs. Boosting public knowledge by providing families with proper education appears to be helpful in preventing the negative effects of delayed implementation of health screening programs.Copyright © 2022 International Association of Physicians in Audiology.
ABSTRACT
Food safety remains a major issue around the world particularly when the COVID-19 pandemic becomes the main issue nowadays. Food safety is essential to the human population worldwide because food is the primary energy source and nutrition for humans. Therefore, food handlers' personal hygiene is one of the factors that are necessary to maintain food safety. The purpose of this study was to assess the food handler's compliance with personal hygiene practices in randomly any food outlets across Malaysia including Kuching, Sarawak;Lawas, Sarawak;Johor Bahru, Johor;Kuala Penyu, Sabah, and Gurun, Kedah. A quantitative method, a cross-sectional descriptive study to one thousand and five (N = 1005) food handlers who participated in the questionnaire and observation checklist was developed by modifying questions in accordance with the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009. Overall, the mean percentage of conformity in adhering to food handler attire was the highest observed at Gurun, Kedah and Kuala Penyu, Sabah with 86.96% and 80.79%, respectively, followed by Kuching, Sarawak with 77.5%, Johor Bahru with 76.71%, and Lawas, Sarawak with 74.93%. Personal hygiene practices conformity showed a high mean percentage with all districts scoring >91% higher than non-conformity. The food handlers also show less unhygienic behaviour while on duty and scored a mean percentage of > 92%. Although in that positive behaviour, some of the food handlers did not perform some unhygienic practices (<= 8 %). In conclusion, there is no significant difference (p-value > 0.05) in the level of conformity between the mean percentages among all districts. Thus, this issue shall raise a concern to the food industries in order to make sure their workers comply with the legal requirement and to avoid any food poisoning outbreak related to food hygiene and food safety in the future.Copyright © 2023 The Authors.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: This study investigates the role of distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE), tympanometry, and acoustic stapedial reflex testing (ASR) and their combined potential utility in the setting of replacing classic automated auditory brainstem response (AABR) testing in newborns with referred hearing screens. This was done to determine whether these tests could be used in isolation so to reduce the follow-up burden on families and improve compliance with our screening protocols by replacing the need for additional tests, especially in a health care system with limited resources and with current travel and visitor restrictions. Method(s): Data were prospectively collected on new clinic patients with the following inclusion criteria: children 0 to 6 months old with referred newborn hearing screens via AABR from August 2020 to October 2020 at Children's Hospital of Michigan. All patients were initially rescreened with repeat AABR. ASR, DPOAE, and tympanometry data from selected patients were collected. Patients were noted to have either normal or abnormal responses from each test using preset parameters. Screening methods were then compared. Result(s): Thirty-eight children were recruited in the study including 76 ears. On repeat AABR, 13% of children and 6% of ears were referred again. Of those that failed the second AABR, 40% had abnormal tympanometry compared with 6% of those that passed. The DPOAE results correlated with AABR findings in all but 1 patient. Acoustic reflex testing was abnormal in 2.6% of patients, which all correlated with referred AABRs. Further statistical analysis is being done to evaluate for significant correlations. Conclusion(s): AABR revealed equivocal results when compared with results of DPOAE, ASR, and tympanometry. This study was limited by the number of patients included, given the current COVID-19 pandemic. Many sites lack AABR capabilities, and given our findings, these alternative auditory tests can be considered in health care settings with limited resources. With further research and greater sample size, these readily available audiologic tests may be considered as simple, reproducible, and sensitive screening alternatives.
ABSTRACT
Background: Hearing difficulties in COVID may range from mild to severe and vary based on COVID-19 severity. They range from the self-manageable at home to the ones needing hospitalization. They include dizziness, vertigo, tinnitus, and/or hearing loss. Aims: To assess the long-term impact of COVID-19 on the existence of audiovestibular disorders in subjects hospitalized previously for COVID-19. Materials and Methods: 30 test and 30 control subjects hospitalized in the institution after COVID-19 were assessed for audiovestibular screening Tonal Audiometry was then done to measure bone and air conduction thresholds. Gain threshold was assessed for vestibular loss set at a value less than 0, 6 at 60ms, and vHIT was performed. The collected data were subjected to statistical evaluation and the results were formulated. Results:Dizziness was seen in 10% (n=3) subjects, tinnitus in 3.33% (n=1) subject, spinning vertigo in 3.33% (n=1) subject, Dynamic disequilibrium/ imbalance in 3.33% (n=1) subject, static disequilibrium/ imbalance in 6.66% (n=2) subjects, and hearing loss in 10% (n=3) subjects. PTA values were statistically non-significant at all frequencies except at 0.25, 0.5, 2, and 4 kHz with respective p-values of 0.003, 0.083, 0.04, and 0.03. In gain values only vHIT significant gain was seen in right anterior canal with values of 0.798±0.257 in cases and 0.949±0.121 in controls and the p-value of 0.004 Conclusion:Within its limitations, the present study concludes that audiovestibular symptoms and components are involved in subjects with COVID-19. No definitive conclusion can be drawn on auditory involvement in subjects with a history of COVID-19 with the previous hospitalization.