Audiometry-Confirmed Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss Incidence among COVID-19 Patients and BNT162b2 Vaccine Recipients

Abstract

ObjectiveTo compare sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) incidence rates over the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak and the COVID-19 vaccination campaign periods to pre-COVID-19 periods.Study DesignRetrospective cohort.SettingSecondary hospital.PatientsPatients >12 years with auditory-confirmed SSNHL were enrolled. COVID-19 status and BNT162 inoculation records ≤28 days before SSNHL diagnosis were retrieved. Patients were categorized according to their date of presentation over four equal periods: 1) July 2018–April 2019 (first prepandemic period), 2) May 2019–February 2020 (second prepandemic period), 3) March 2020–December 2020 (COVID-19 outbreak), and 4) January 2021–October 2021 (BNT162b2 vaccinations campaign).InterventionsPre- and post-COVID-19 emergence; BNT162b2 vaccine.Main Outcome MeasuresIncidence rate ratios (IRRs) were calculated to compare SSNHL cases during the COVID-19 and vaccination periods with pre-COVID-19 periods.ResultsOf the 100 patients with SSNHL over the four periods, 1 had COVID-19 and 8 were vaccinated. The annual SSNHL incidence was 12.87, 12.28, 13.45, and 19.89 per 100,000 over periods 1 to 4, respectively. SSNHL incidence over the third period was not significantly different than the first/second periods (IRR = 1.045, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.629–1.85, ρ = 0.788, and IRR = 1.095, 95% CI = 0.651–1.936, ρ = 0.683, respectively), whereas SSNHL incidence rate over the fourth period was higher (IRR = 1.545, 95% CI = 0.967–2.607, ρ = 0.068, and IRR = 1.619, 95% CI = 1–2.73, ρ = 0.05, respectively). SSNHL incidence in vaccine recipients was lower than prepandemic unvaccinated patients (IRR = 0.584, 95% CI =0.464–1.67, ρ = 0.984, and IRR = 0.612, 95% CI =0.48–1.744, ρ = 0.92, respectively).ConclusionThere were fewer SSNHL cases during the first COVID-19 months. Although the SSNHL rate over the COVID-19 vaccination campaign increased, it was not higher for patients who received the BNT162b2 vaccine.

Audiometry-Confirmed Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss Incidence Among COVID-19 Patients and BNT162b2 Vaccine Recipients

“…In our report, we have shown that there was no clear association between COVID-19 patients and the BNT162b2 vaccination with an increased incidence of SSNHL (4). This leaves the reader the possibility to adhere to the notions that both endogenic and exogenic influences exist in the pathophysiology of this disease, but most likely, the BNT162b2 vaccination is not included among these, as is COVID-19.…”

Sensorineural Hearing Loss Among COVID-19 Patients and BNT162b2 Vaccine Recipients: Comment

“…There were fewer SSNHL instances during the first COVID-19 months, according to Cohen Michael et al (1). Although the SSNHL rate increased during the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, Cohen Michael et al (1) noted that it was not greater for individuals who got the BNT162b2 vaccine.…”

“…Althoughthe SSNHL rate increased during the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, Cohen Michael et al(1) noted that it was not greater for individuals who got the BNT162b2 vaccine.…”

“…To the Editor: We would like to share ideas on the publication “Audiometry-confirmed sudden sensorineural hearing loss incidence among COVID-19 patients and BNT162b2 vaccine recipients” (1). The incidence rates of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) during the 2019 COVID-19 epidemic and COVID-19 vaccine campaign were compared with pre–COVID-19 periods by Cohen Michael et al (1). There were fewer SSNHL instances during the first COVID-19 months, according to Cohen Michael et al (1).…”

Incidence of sudden sensorineural hearing loss associated with BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine: Pooled results from register-based nationwide studies

“…Furthermore, in a recent retrospective cohort study using electronic patient records at a secondary hospital in the Israeli city of Ashdod, it was shown that the incidence of audiometry-confirmed SSNHL was lower in vaccine recipients than in pre-pandemic unvaccinated patients. 6 …”