[Deafness after COVID-19? German version].

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Infectious Diseases
• Virology

Background:

• Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, leading to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), can cause a range of systemic complications.
• The neurological and systemic effects of SARS-CoV-2 are still being investigated, with emerging evidence suggesting potential impacts on auditory function.

Observation:

• A patient experiencing severe COVID-19 developed sudden bilateral deafness after intensive care unit treatment for acute respiratory distress syndrome and acute kidney failure.
• Pre-infection hearing was subjectively normal, but post-infection audiological assessments revealed profound hearing loss in the right ear and deafness in the left ear.

Findings:

• The patient underwent treatment with cochlear implants for the left ear and a hearing aid for the right ear to address the profound hearing deficits.
• The sudden onset of bilateral deafness is strongly suspected to be a direct or indirect complication of the SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Implications:

• This case highlights a potential, severe auditory complication of COVID-19, emphasizing the need for audiological monitoring in affected patients.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 may cause sensorineural hearing loss and to inform clinical management strategies.