Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Mild COVID-19: Case Series and Analysis of the Literature

Background: There is growing evidence of otoneurological involvement of SARS-CoV-2, such as tinnitus and balance disorders and smell and taste disorders, but HL in COVID-19 patients has still been marginally studied. Investigating the role of SARS-CoV-2 as an aetiological factor of Sudden Sensorineu...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Audiology research (Pavia, Italy) Italy), 2021-07, Vol.11 (3), p.313-326
Main Authors: Ricciardiello, Filippo, Pisani, Davide, Viola, Pasquale, Cristiano, Elisabetta, Scarpa, Alfonso, Giannone, Antonio, Longo, Giuseppe, Russo, Giuseppe, Bocchetti, Marco, Coppola, Ciro, Perrella, Marco, Oliva, Flavia, Chiarella, Giuseppe
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Blood
Blood platelets
coronavirus
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
Drug dosages
Hearing loss
Infections
Patients
SARS-CoV-2
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
SSNHL
sudden sensorineural hearing loss
Taste disorders
Tinnitus
Vertigo
Viral infections
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Background: There is growing evidence of otoneurological involvement of SARS-CoV-2, such as tinnitus and balance disorders and smell and taste disorders, but HL in COVID-19 patients has still been marginally studied. Investigating the role of SARS-CoV-2 as an aetiological factor of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL) may offer the opportunity to address treatment strategies to maximize clinical recovery and avoid side effects. Methods and results: For this purpose, we will present case studies of five patients who experienced SSNHL during COVID-19. Patients were selected from COVID-19 positive adult subjects with mild clinical presentation, admitted to the outpatient Ear Nose and Throat Department of Cardarelli Hospital due to the onset of SSNHL during the infection. All underwent a complete audio-vestibular investigation before and after SSNHL treatment protocol. Each patient is described with a detailed analysis. Conclusions: SSNHL could be an occasional symptom of COVID-19, even in mild manifestations of the disease. Our experience leads us to underline the value of promptly recognizing and addressing this and other uncommon symptoms, giving patients the opportunity to receive early treatment.
ISSN:2039-4349
2039-4330
2039-4349
DOI:10.3390/audiolres11030029