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Does SARS-CoV-2 affect cochlear functions in children?
Cigdem F Koca1, Turgut Celik1, Agit Simsek1
1From the Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (Koca, Kelles), Faculty of Medicine, Turgut Özal University, from the Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (Celik, Aydin), Malatya Training and Research Hospital, from the Department of Audiology (Simsek), Faculty of Health Sciences; from the Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics (Yasar), Faculty of Medicine, Inonu University, Malatya, and from the Department of Otorhinolaryngology (Erdur), Faculty of Medicine, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey.
COVID-19 may impact children's cochlear function, potentially causing irreversible hearing and speech issues. Early detection of these auditory problems is critical for vulnerable pediatric populations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Infectious Diseases
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is a global health concern with potential long-term effects.
- Children are a vulnerable population susceptible to various health complications following viral infections.
- The impact of COVID-19 on auditory function, particularly in children, requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the influence of COVID-19 on the cochlear functions of children.
- To investigate the relationship between COVID-19 severity and cochlear involvement using otoacoustic emissions (OAEs).
- To evaluate potential irreversible effects on hearing and speech development in pediatric COVID-19 survivors.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 24 hospitalized children, 23 outpatients, and 21 healthy controls diagnosed between June and July 2021.
- Utilized transient evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE), distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE), and contralateral suppression of OAE measurements.
- Recorded patient symptoms, treatments, and hospitalization duration for the inpatient group.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in TEOAE results under masking were observed between the three groups at 1 kHz (p=0.033) and 4 kHz (p=0.021).
- A statistically significant difference in DPOAE test results was found at 2 kHz between the hospitalized, outpatient, and control groups (p=0.009).
Conclusions:
- Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) may affect the medial olivocochlear system in children.
- COVID-19 can potentially lead to irreversible cochlear function impairments in pediatric patients.
- Early identification of auditory issues is crucial for children, especially given their vulnerability to hearing and speech problems.
