Audiological Assessment in Post COVID19 Patients- A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Hearing loss following a viral infection is a common entity. In recent studies, hearing loss has been seen among Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infected patients, but its association is yet to be established.

Aim: To determine the presence of hearing loss and its type in patients after COVID-19 infection.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary health centre, Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chennai, from October 2021 to April 2022. Total of 125 patients, who had a positive history of COVID-19 infection, were reviewed in the Otorhinolaryngology Department, one month after they were tested Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) positive. After obtaining proper clinical history and examination, Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA) were done. Audiological report was assessed and analysed. Qualitative variables will be expressed in proportions and quantitative variables in Mean±SD/Median (IQR), Chi-square test was applied.

Results: This study included 65 (52%) males and 60 (48%) females, and the mean age was 38.44±10.9 years. Among the 125 patients, 12 (9.6%) were diabetic, 14 (11.2%) were hypertensive, 5 (4%) had dyslipidaemia, 3 (2.4%) were hypothyroid, while remaining 91 patients (72.8%) had no co-morbidities. Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL) was found among 45 patients (34 with unilateral and 11 with bilateral involvement). Out of them, 2 (4.5%) were in the age group of 18-30 years, 19 (42.2%) in 31-45 years and 24 (53.3%) between 46-60 years age group. Based on the World Health Organisation (WHO) classification of hearing loss, 27 patients had mild sensorineural hearing loss, 12 patients with moderate, and six patients with moderately severe sensorineural hearing loss.

Conclusion: SNHL were found among patients who had COVID-19 infection, but due to the absence of a pre COVID-19 documented audiogram, it was difficult to conclude whether the hearing loss had occurred due to COVID-19, pre-existing hearing loss, or age-related. Further studies are required for proper understanding and correlation.