Sudden sensorineural hearing loss in a post‐COVID‐19 patient

Abstract

A detailed history and diagnostic evaluation for recent or past COVID‐19 infection is vital in patients presenting with Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL) since SSNHL could be a sequelae of COVID‐19 and timely diagnosis and intervention could significantly improve hearing and quality of life.

Cochleovestibular findings linked to COVID-19: A scoping review for clinical care planning in South Africa

“…Findings from the review reveal uncertainty and inconsistency regarding the underlying pathophysiology of the cochleovestibular symptoms in COVID-19 positive patients, with Pokharel et al ( 2021 ) maintaining that the absence of a clear pathophysiologic mechanism linking COVID-19 to SSNHL creates a vague association. Therefore, Koparal and Yılmazer’s ( 2021 ) recommended more research to examine the impact of COVID-19 on hearing, including the underlying pathophysiology.…”

“…The reported rate of otological or vestibular symptoms varied significantly. For example, Korkmaz et al (2021) Ricciardiello et al (2021) reported that both ears can equally be affected, and the impairment could be unilateral or bilateral, and if bilateral, the symptoms can be symmetrical or nonsymmetrical (Karimi-Galougahi et al, 2020;Koparal & Yılmazer, 2021;Koumpa et al, 2020;Sriwijitalai & Wiwanitkit, 2020), with the severity of the hearing loss documented to range from mild loss to profound hearing loss (Beckers et al, 2021;Chern et al, 2021;Koparal & Yılmazer, 2021;Koumpa et al, 2020;Pokharel et al, 2021) and some evidence of puretone average being substantially worse in patients with COVID-19 when compared with healthy control groups, particularly in the high frequencies (Koparal & Yılmazer, 2021). Mustafa (2020) found that pure-tone hearing thresholds in high frequencies and amplitudes of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) were significantly worse in this population, thus concluding that COVID-19 infection potentially has adverse effects on cochlear hair cell function even when infected individuals are asymptomatic for the cardinal disease symptoms.…”

“…Analysis in this review leads the current author to conclude that generally, cochleovestibular symptoms that have been reported in adults include sudden onset sensorineural hearing loss with varying severity levels, which can be unilateral or bilateral, mostly high-frequency configuration, with or without tinnitus and vertigo, with the presentation in the paediatric population remaining relatively obscure. The occurrence of cochleovestibular symptoms is reported to vary, with some patients presenting with SSNHL as a leading symptom of COVID-19, while in others the symptoms occur greater than 6 days after the COVID-19 diagnosis or long after recovery from the infection (Kilic et al, 2020 ; Munro et al, 2020 ; Pokharel et al, 2021 ; Ricciardiello et al, 2021 ). Even if some patients present with cochleovestibular symptoms, some evidence seems to indicate that these are mainly temporary in nature (Gallus et al, 2021 ; Munro et al, 2020 ).…”

“…The type of onset of the cochleovestibular symptoms is reported to be acute (Gallus et al, 2021 ; Koumpa et al, 2020 ; Savtale et al, 2021 ), with most of the patients reported to have achieved partial or complete resolution of symptoms after therapy with steroids (Bhatta et al, 2021 ; Chern et al, 2021 ; Koumpa et al, 2020 ; Ricciardiello et al, 2021 ). For example, Pokharel et al ( 2021 ) reported on significant improvement in hearing following treatment with steroids. Early detection and diagnosis of SSNHL and other less familiar symptoms in this population provides patients with the prospect to receive early intervention (Koumpa et al, 2020 ; Ricciardiello et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Such heightened awareness of cochleovestibular disorders as part of the nonspecific presentation of COVID-19 is important, as it facilitates prevention of the spread of this infectious pandemic through patient isolation and provision of and early COVID-19 specific interventions (Kilic et al, 2020 ; Koumpa et al, 2020 ). Pokharel et al ( 2021 ) recommended a comprehensive history and diagnostic assessment for past or recent COVID-19 infection in individuals with SSNHL, because SSNHL could be a sequela of COVID-19 (Ricciardiello et al, 2021 ), with Beckers et al ( 2021 ) recommending inclusion of PCR testing in the diagnostic evaluation of these patients with SSNHL during COVID-19. Furthermore, Munro et al ( 2020 ) recommended meticulous following up of COVID-19 patients for establishment of its long-term consequences on cochleovestibular function.…”