The Relationship Between Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss, Vestibular Neuritis, and Infection With COVID-19

Saeid Aarabi; Nasrin Yazdani; Javad Fakhri; Vida Rahimi; Parsa Cheraghipour; Sasan Dabiri

doi:10.18502/jmr.v15i4.7744

Saeid Aarabi Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Nasrin Yazdani Department of Otolaryngology- Head & Neck Surgery, Amir-Alam Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Javad Fakhri Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Vida Rahimi Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Parsa Cheraghipour Department of Otolaryngology- Head & Neck Surgery, Imam Reza Hospital, Besat Hospital, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Sasan Dabiri Department of Otolaryngology- Head & Neck Surgery, Amir-Alam Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jmr.v15i4.7744

Keywords: COVID-19, Sudden hearing loss, Vestibular Neuritis (VN), Vertigo, Hearing loss, Otolaryngology

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between sudden sensorineural hearing loss, vestibular neuritis, and infection with COVID-19.

Materials and Methods: In this study, a total of 56 Iranians (32 females and 24 males) with a Mean±SD age of 45.12±14 years were studied in Tehran City, Iran. Individuals diagnosed with Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL) or vestibular neuritis based on definitive diagnostic criteria were included in the study. The methodology comprised four sections of underlying Sudden Hearing Loss,, auditory and vestibular inspection, SARS-CoV-2 Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test, and statistical analysis. Also, the videonystagmography test was used in participants with vertigo to diagnose vestibular neuritis. Pure tone audiometry confirmed SSNHL in some patients with a complaint of hearing loss. Furthermore, tuning fork, Rinne and Weber tests were also performed.

Results: The results of SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR in 56 subjects showed that eight subjects (22.2%) with vestibular neuritis and two with SSNHL (10%) had a positive RT-PCR test. The Chi- square and Fisher exact-tests with a 95% confidence interval revealed no statistically significant (P>0.05) relationship between COVID-19 infection and vestibular neuritis or SSNHL.

Conclusion: The present study showed no statistically significant relationship between audiovestibular disorders and positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test. However, the possibility of this relationship cannot be ruled out, and there is a need for studies with larger sample sizes.