Impact of COVID‐19 on Presentation of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss at a Single Institution

Chari, Divya A; Parikh, Ayush; Kozin, Elliott D.; Reed, Meaghan; Jung, David

doi:10.1177/0194599820974685

Cited by 31 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Data about the impact of COVID-19 on audiological emergencies such as SSNHL are currently inconsistent and controversial. Chari et al [4] reported a decrease in the absolute number of patients who presented with SSNHL during the COVID-19 lockdown period (March to May 2020) in comparison to the similar time frame 1 year before (13 versus 71 patients). However, the ratio of diagnosis over the total patients evaluated was not very different between the two periods (1.91% vs 1.77%).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…A large decrease in the number of Ear Nose and Throat outpatient urgent consultations was observed during the first phase of the pandemic probably due to national lockdown orders associated with patients' reticence and fear of going to the hospitals [2] . Consequently, a reduction in the diagnosis of many otorhinolaryngological and audiological disorders such as epistaxis, pharyngo-tonsillitis, otitis media, equilibrium disorders, and sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) has been reported [2] , [3] , [4] .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sudden hearing loss and vestibular disorders during and before COVID-19 pandemic: An audiology tertiary referral centre experience

Parrino¹,

Frosolini²,

Toninato³

et al. 2022

American Journal of Otolaryngology

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Purpose During the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic a reduction in the diagnosis of many otorhinolaryngological and audiological disorders has been widely reported. The main aim of this investigation was to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 outbreak on the incidence of acute hearing and vestibular disorders. Materials and methods A retrospective analysis was performed of all patients evaluated in an audiology tertiary referral centre for acute cochleo-vestibular impairment between March 1st 2020 and February 28th 2021 (Pandemic Year Period, PYP). Results were compared to patients presenting with the same disorders during two previous periods (March 1st 2019 to February 29th 2020 and March 1st 2018 to February 28th 2019; First Precedent Year Period, FPYP and Second Precedent Year Period, SPYP, respectively). Results The annual incidence of total acute audio-vestibular disorders (number of annual diagnoses divided by total number of annual audiological evaluations) was 1.52% during the PYP, 1.31% in FPYP and 1.20% in SPYP. Comparison between the pandemic period and previous periods did not show a significant difference ( p > 0.05). The overall incidence of SSNHL and combined acute cochlear-vestibular involvement was significantly higher during the PYP compared to the previous periods ( p = 0.022). Conclusions There were no differences in the absolute number of acute audio-vestibular disorders during the pandemic compared to previous periods. Although not significant, the SSNHL during the pandemic appeared worse in terms of pure-tone average with a higher incidence of associated vestibular involvement. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of SARS-CoV-2 on audio-vestibular disorders incidence and pathophysiology.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sudden hearing loss and vestibular disorders during and before COVID-19 pandemic: An audiology tertiary referral centre experience

Parrino¹,

Frosolini²,

Toninato³

et al. 2022

American Journal of Otolaryngology

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“…In their comments on the study by Kılıç et al, Luca et al stated that no serious increases in case numbers were reported in the pandemic period regarding hearing loss, the result in the study by Kılıç et al could be coincidental, and it needed to be investigated [ 21 ]. Chari et al found the incidence of SSNHL similar between March and May in the pandemic period and the same months in the previous year and stated that the COVID-19 virus does not lead to an increase in the incidence of SSNHL [ 22 ]. In a study conducted by Mustafa, while no significant difference could be determined between asymptomatic COVID-19 patients and healthy individuals in terms of their pure tone audiometry results at low frequencies, worse results were reported in the COVID-19 patients at high frequencies and in transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE), and it was argued that COVID-19 and the cochlea could be associated [ 9 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can isolated sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) and idiopathic acute facial paralysis (Bell's palsy) be symptoms of COVID-19?

Aslan

Çiçek

2021

American Journal of Otolaryngology

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Objectives The symptoms of COVID-19 at the time of presentation mainly include fever, cough, respiratory distress and myalgia. On the other hand, as neurological symptoms, disruption of taste and smell and cerebrovascular pathologies are well-known, whereas other neurological symptoms and signs are being newly recognized. Sudden-onset sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) and idiopathic acute facial paralysis (Bell's palsy) are otologic emergencies that are frequently encountered by otorhinolaryngology specialists. Although there are many articles describing SSNHL and Bell's palsy in the literature, the literature describing their relationship to COVID-19 is limited. In our study, we aimed to present the neuro-otologic relationship of SSNHL and Bell's palsy with COVID-19. Material and methods The pretreatment real-time oronasopharyngeal PCR tests, COVID-19 symptomatology and COVID-19 infection statuses of patients who presented to our clinic with isolated SSNHL and Bell's palsy between April 2020 and April 2021 were questioned, and the data of the patients were collected. Throughout their treatment, the patients were followed-up in terms of COVID-19 infection. This is a prospective study. Moreover, to observe the change in the incidence, the data of patients visiting between January 2019 and January 2020 were also collected. The data of the patients were statistically analyzed using SPSS. Results The study included a total of 177 patients. The SSNHL group consisted of 91 patients, and the Bell's palsy group consisted of 86 patients. Neither group showed a statistically significant difference in comparison to the year without the pandemic in terms of the patient numbers (incidence), sex, age, morbidity, response to treatment or social habits. There was a statistically significant difference in age only in the Bell's palsy group, but this difference was not medically significant. Conclusion As a result of our study, we did not observe a relationship between COVID-19 and cases of SSNHL and Bell's palsy. It is recommended to apply standard otologic treatment to isolated SSNHL and Bell's palsy patients whose association with COVID-19 is not determined.

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“…). None of these 13 patients diagnosed with SSNHL were found to be positive for COVID-19 [28]. It should be noted that SSNHL is probably multifactorial and whether COVID-19 has an effect on these factors is unknown.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…During the COVID-19 pandemic, from March 15, 2020, to May 31, 2020, there were 13 diagnosed SSNHL cases out of 681 suspected cases (1.91%). None of these 13 patients diagnosed with SSNHL were found to be positive for COVID-19 [ 28 ]. It should be noted that SSNHL is probably multifactorial and whether COVID-19 has an effect on these factors is unknown.…”

Section: Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Systematic Review of Sensorineural Hearing Loss Associated With COVID-19 Infection

McIntyre¹,

Favre²,

Kuo³

et al. 2021

Cureus

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Our objective is to identify novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with a diagnosis of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) with an aim to describe possible mechanisms. A systematic review was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed . Our search terms included: "Sensorineural Hearing Loss" + "COVID-19" or "Sensorineural Hearing Loss" + "SARS-CoV-2" or "Sensorineural Hearing Loss" + "Coronavirus". Studies that adhered to the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the review. Of the 20 articles identified in the initial search, five met the inclusion criteria. The included articles consisted of four case studies and one letter to the editor, with seven total patients analyzed. All patients were COVID-19 positive and exhibited SSNHL, either unilateral or bilateral. Four patients reported tinnitus and two patients experienced vertigo. One patient was treated with hydroxychloroquine and one patient was treated with a variety of medications. Four patients were treated with intravenous and/or oral steroids intended to treat the SSNHL. The current literature describing SSNHL in COVID-19 patients is insufficient to characterize the pattern of hearing loss or advise about the treatment or outcomes. Future studies require a larger database or population study.

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Impact of COVID‐19 on Presentation of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss at a Single Institution

Cited by 31 publications

References 7 publications

Sudden hearing loss and vestibular disorders during and before COVID-19 pandemic: An audiology tertiary referral centre experience

Sudden hearing loss and vestibular disorders during and before COVID-19 pandemic: An audiology tertiary referral centre experience

Can isolated sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) and idiopathic acute facial paralysis (Bell's palsy) be symptoms of COVID-19?

Systematic Review of Sensorineural Hearing Loss Associated With COVID-19 Infection

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