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No lasting impact of Covid-19 on the auditory system: a prospective cohort study

Part of: JLO Coronavirus Collection

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 October 2021

S Hassani ,
M Lazem  and
Z Jafari Open the ORCID record for Z Jafari [Opens in a new window]
S Hassani
Affiliation:
Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Science, Isfahan, Iran Student Research Committee, Isfahan University of Medical Science, Isfahan, Iran
M Lazem
Affiliation:
Student Research Committee, Isfahan University of Medical Science, Isfahan, Iran
Z Jafari*
Affiliation:
Department of Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
*
Author for correspondence: Dr Zahra Jafari, Department of Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4, Canada E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Objective

Otological complications are considered early symptoms of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2; however, it is unknown how long these symptoms last and whether the virus leaves any hearing disorders post-recovery.

Methods

This prospective cohort study comprised 31 mild or moderate confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 patients and 26 age-matched control peers (21–50 years old). Patients were questioned about their otological symptoms, and their hearing status was assessed during one month post-diagnosis.

Results

Patients showed a significantly higher rate of otological symptoms (hearing loss, ear fullness, ear pain, dizziness or vertigo, communication difficulties, and hyperacusis) versus the control group (p ≤ 0.022). The symptoms resolved early, between 2 and 8 days after their appearance. No significant differences were observed between the two groups in pure tone and extended high-frequency audiometry, transient evoked otoacoustic emissions, distortion product otoacoustic emissions, or auditory brainstem response following recovery.

Conclusion

The findings indicate that, in mild to moderate coronavirus disease 2019 cases, otological symptoms resolve within a week, and the virus has no lasting impact on the auditory system.

Keywords

COVID-19SARS-CoV-2Hearing LossTinnitusDizzinessAudiometry, Pure-ToneOtoacoustic EmissionsAuditory Brainstem Responses
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 135 , Issue 12 , December 2021 , pp. 1063 - 1068
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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Footnotes

Dr Z Jafari takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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