Audiovestibular symptoms of COVID-19 infection

Abstract

Although it most commonly affects the upper respiratory system with symptoms of fever, cough, and fatigue, the new SARS-CoV-2 virus can lead to pneumonia and more serious complications such as multiorgan failure. As the pandemic progresses and affects an increasing number of people, more and more symptoms appear that are not closely related to the upper respiratory system. Gastrointestinal symptoms, neurological and cardiac symptoms, and inner and middle ear symptoms such as hearing loss, tinnitus, and dizziness occur. The possible pathogenesis of virus-induced hearing loss is in direct damage to the structures of the inner ear or in an immune mediated response. The aim of this study was to analyze and present patients with hearing loss, tinnitus and dizziness as clinical manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We analyzed 25 patients between the ages of 33 and 70 who admitted to the audiology clinic between from December 1, 2020 and to February 6, 2021 with symptoms of hearing loss, tinnitus and dizziness. The results of the study show that there was acute unilateral hearing loss in three patients and acute bilateral hearing loss in one patient during SARS-CoV-2 infection. In one patient there was a complete recovery of hearing after corticosteroid therapy, and in two there was a partial recovery. Hearing loss only at high frequencies at 4000 and 6000 Hz occurred bilaterally in 13 patients. This is both the most characteristic and the most common hearing finding. We also see that exacerbation of tinnitus occurred in four patients and new-onset tinnitus occurred in nine patients. Dizziness occurred in three patients and it was a new-onset dizziness. Although we have discovered a link between coronavirus and hearing loss, tinnitus and dizziness, we still do not know the prevalence of audiological manifestations of the disease because the focus is still on more severe and life-threatening conditions.