Peripheral and brainstem auditory evaluation in post-COVID-19 individuals

• Published in: Clinics (São Paulo, Brazil) Brazil), 2024-01, Vol.79, p.100472, Article 100472
• Main Authors: Mielle, Lucas Pinto, Maximiano, Maria Vanderléia Araujo, Neves-Lobo, Ivone Ferreira, Silva, Liliane Aparecida Fagundes, Goulart, Alessandra C., Romagnolli, Carla, de Oliveira, Gerson Sobrinho Salvador, Samelli, Alessandra Giannella, Matas, Carla Gentile
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Audiology; Audiometry, Pure-Tone; Auditory Pathways - physiopathology; Auditory Threshold - physiology; COVID-19; COVID-19 - complications; COVID-19 - physiopathology; Electrophysiology; Evoked Potentials, Auditory; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem - physiology; Female; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural - etiology; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural - physiopathology; Humans; Male; MEDICINE, GENERAL & INTERNAL; Middle Aged; Original; SARS-CoV-2; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1807-5932; 1980-5322; 1980-5322
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clinsp.2024.100472

•Vestibulocochlear disorders can be caused by COVID-19 infection.•Sensorineural hearing loss can be present without clinical symptoms.•Electrophysiological tests suggest an abnormal auditory pathway after COVID-19.•The use of ototoxic drugs during COVID-19 can worsen hearing. The purpose of this study was to investigate the peripheral and central auditory pathways in adult individuals after COVID-19 infection. A total of 44 individuals aged between 19 and 58 years, of both genders, post-COVID-19 infection, confirmed by serological tests, with no previous hearing complaints and no risk factors for hearing loss, were assessed. All the participants underwent the following procedures: pure tone audiometry, logoaudiometry, immitanciometry, and Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials (BAEP), in addition to answering a questionnaire about auditory symptoms. Thirteen individuals (29.5 %) had some hearing threshold impairment, mainly sensorineural hearing loss. In the BAEP, 18 individuals (40.9 %) presented longer latencies, mainly in waves III and V. According to the questionnaire answers, 3 individuals (9.1 %) reported worsened hearing and 7 (15.9 %) tinnitus that emerged after the infection. As for the use of ototoxic drugs during treatment, 7 individuals (15.9 %) reported their use, of which 5 showed abnormalities in peripheral and/or central auditory assessments. Considering the self-reported hearing complaints after COVID-19 infection and the high rate of abnormalities found in both peripheral and central audiological assessments, it is suggested that the new COVID-19 may compromise the auditory system. Due to the many variables involved in this study, the results should be considered with caution. However, it is essential that audiological evaluations are carried out on post-COVID-19 patients in order to assess the effects of the infection in the short, medium, and long term. Future longitudinal investigations are important for a better understanding of the auditory consequences of COVID-19.