Can COVID-19 cause sudden sensorineural hearing loss?

ABSTRACT

Introduction Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is defined as a hearing loss occurred within 3 days with decreasing of hearing level at least 30 dB in as a minimum three frequencies. The exact etiology and pathology of SSNHL is still unknown and the causes can be identified in only 10 to 15 percent of diagnosed cases. Methods Goal To study the correlation of SSNHL and Covid-19 infections. We selected 10 patients who came to our clinic with SSNHL and who recently recovered from Covid-19 infection. They were admitted to clinic on 20-25th days of their COVID-19 infection, all selected patients were received remdesivir, intravenous steroids and plasma exchange to treat their COVID-19 infection and clinically improved. During 1-3 weeks of the treatment their noticed left-sided tinnitus and SSNHL. They all had no previous ear pathology. Results On ear examination external auditory canal canals and tympanic membranes are normal, were found negative Rinne's test on left side and Weber's test lateralising to the opposite side, tympanogram type A, no acoustic reflexes on left ear. When performed laboratory tests after 2 months of post-onset of SSNHL in all patients were found a positive COVID-19 IgG antibodies which showing initial time of SSNHL incidence. Such as, was not found any other risk factors for evolving SSNHL except Covid-19, so we came to conclusion, that the patient's SSNHL is complication of COVID-19 infection and probably this infection can cause unilateral intralabyrinthine or intracochlear hemorrhage, damages the inner ear's delicate hair cells and/or the blood supply.