Association of Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Infections with Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Case-Crossover, Nationwide, Population-Based Cohort Study

Abstract

The etiology of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) has been unclear until now. Understanding its potential etiology is crucial for the development of preventive medicine. In this study, we investigated the association between acute upper respiratory tract infections (URIs) and SSNHL risk. We conducted a case-crossover study by using the longitudinal health insurance database derived from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. Individual acute URI between the case and control periods was reviewed. Multivariable conditional logistic regression models were used to estimate the adjusted odds ratios (aORs) of SSNHL risk associated with acute URIs after adjustments for potential confounders. In total, 1131 patients with SSNHL between 2010 and 2013 fulfilled our inclusion criteria and were included. The aOR (95% confidence interval [CI]) for SSNHL was 1.57 (1.20–2.05) in relation to acute URIs one month before the index date. Moreover, the aORs (95% CIs) of the female and young to middle-aged (≤65 years) populations were 1.63 (1.13–2.36) and 1.76 (1.29–2.40), respectively. In addition, the association between SSNHL and acute URIs was decreased over time. The aOR for SSNHL was 1.25 (1.01–1.56) in relation to acute URIs three months before the index date. A cute URIs increase SSNHL risk and are a potential risk factor for SSNHL. The establishment of a feasible health policy for the prevention of acute URIs is crucial for SSNHL prevention, particularly in female, and young to middle-aged populations.

Evaluation of Disturbances in Hearing, Tinnitus, and Vestibular Symptoms as Signs of COVID-19 Infection

“…Testing patients for COVID-19 may include testing for other respiratory viruses such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus, human metapneumovirus, and respiratory adenovirus. These other respiratory viruses may have an association with otologic symptoms ( 41 ) ( 42 ). However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a lower prevalence of these viral infections ( 43 ).…”

Experience of sudden sensorineural hearing loss following a mild COVID-19 infection

“…Cytokines then invade the cochlear nerve causing neuritis and the soft tissues of the cochlea causing cochleitis, leading to audiovestibular disturbance 4. Published evidence suggests potential association between recent upper respiratory tract infection and SSNHL,5 with increased prevalence reported during the COVID-19 pandemic 6. Some authors have suggested that SSNHL might be a symptom of COVID-19 and have observed the presence of SSNHL with or without other signs of infection 7…”