Purpose Gestational SARS-Cov-2 infection can impact maternal and neonatal health. The virus has also been reported of causing sensorineural hearing loss. The objective of this study was to determine the possible effect of maternal SARS-COV-2 infection on neonatal hearing as identified during universal hearing screening. Methods Retrospective cohort study in two tertiary referral centers including all neonates born from November 2020 through April 1st, 2021 and undergoing the universal hearing screening program. Maternal Covid-19 infection was recorded (timing and severity) and the results of hearing screening of their neonates compared to the incidence of neonatal hearing loss results of the national universal screening program during the same period. Results A total of 984 neonates were included (508 males and 476 females). Sixty-three neonates were excluded due to comorbidities which could cause hearing loss. The incidence of failed responses in the community at large was 2.3%. Twenty-seven failed both steps of screening (2.9%; p < 0.2). There were 34 Covid-19 positive mothers (17 in the first trimester, 8 in the second and 9 in the third). Twenty-nine neonates failed the first screening ( p < 0.00001) but on further testing only one neonate failed (2.9%). Conclusion In this study, neonates born to Covid-19 positive mothers do not seem to have an increased risk of hearing loss. However longer follow-up of these neonates is mandatory to detect any possible delayed effects of the virus.

Background Dizziness, including vertigo, affects approximately 15% to over 20% of adults each year. A significant proportion of patients with vertigo develop secondary psychiatric disorders throughout their disease. On the other hand, patients with psychiatric disorders frequently report dizziness as a co-occurring symptom of their illness. The purpose of this study was to screen the prevalence of depression and anxiety indices in dizzy patients and their relation to the severity of their dizziness handicap by administering two different questionnaires: The dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).  Results Psychological assessments revealed that 49% of the study group was normal, 29% had anxiety, 7% had depression, and 15% had both anxiety and depression. Besides, vestibular neuritis was associated with a higher mean anxiety score, whereas Meniere's disease was associated with a higher mean depression score.  Conclusion As this study has shown, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between anxiety and depression scores and physical, emotional, functional, and total DHI scores. Screening and treatment of co-morbid mental health disorders are critical for appropriate management of vertigo disability that leads to a higher quality of life and fewer complications.

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Introduction: Chronic Suppurative otitis Media (CSOM) and tympanic membrane perforation are leading causes of mild to moderate conductive acquired hearing loss worldwide that may lead to tinnitus. Aim: This study is designed to evaluate the postoperative various potential effects of tympanoplasty on tinnitus in patients with central tympanic membrane perforation using different methods of testing including tinnitogram. Methods: This study was carried out in: Oto-rhinolaryngology department-El Azhar University Hospitals and Otorhinolaryngology department Hearing and Speech institute in Giza (from March 2016 to March 2018). One hundred ears with central tympanic membrane perforation of one hundred patients were included in this study and it was designed as a prospective randomized study. Typmpanoplasty was done for all the ears with preoperative and postoperative audiological assessment and tinnitogram and Tinnitus Handicap Inventory. Results: Overall improvement by comparing pre-operative and post-operative results revealed that Tinnitus Handicap Inventory score improvement mean was (67.25), loudness threshold decrease mean was (35.71) and average Air Bone Gap improvement mean was (44.13). Conclusion: Patients with tinnitus and hearing loss are excellent candidates to undergo tympanoplasty in order to control tinnitus by hearing improvement. Our study results proved that Repair of tympanic membrane perforation will improve hearing outcome and decrease burden of tinnitus complaint on patient's life.

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Aims:Cochlear implant (CI) is a widely accepted device to patients with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss to replace the normal hearing pathway. Since a portion of the device is implanted under the skin, possible immune alteration may occur. Our aim was to assess the production of some selected pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in patients with cochlear implants and their impact on hearing outcomes. Material and Methods: Our study was conducted on 25 cochlear implanted patients who were subjected to IL-1β, IL2, IFN-γ and IL6 laboratory assessment preoperatively, postoperatively, 6 months after CI and 2 years after CI. Simultaneously, impedance and neural response telemetry (NRT) were measured and the data were analyzed statistically in relation to the laboratory findings. Results:No statistically significant difference was found between the levels of cytokines at different times of assessment except a significant increase of IL-1β at first fitting postoperatively in comparison to preoperative sample. Also, no statistically significant difference was found as regards values of impedance and NRT except a significant decrease of postoperative measures of NRT in comparison to intraoperative measures without any malfunction. Conclusion:There is a minimal immune alteration immediately after CI without any functional affection which may be attributed to the trauma of the implantation surgery rather than foreign body immune response.