Sudden sensorineural hearing loss and coronavirus disease 2019

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Audiology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has raised concerns about its potential impact on various health conditions.
• Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a critical condition requiring prompt medical attention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether otolaryngologists and audiologists perceived an increase in SSNHL incidence during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To analyze the association between the pandemic and perceived changes in SSNHL rates.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional descriptive analysis was conducted using a questionnaire.
• The survey targeted otolaryngologists and audiologists affiliated with the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery.
• Data collected included perceptions of SSNHL incidence and correlation with COVID-19 positive patient numbers.

Main Results:

• 63% of respondents did not report an increase in SSNHL during the pandemic.
• A weak positive correlation (Spearman correlation = 0.20) was observed between SSNHL cases and the percentage of COVID-19 positive patients.
• No significant association was found between geographical location and the perceived increase in SSNHL.

Conclusions:

• The majority of surveyed otolaryngologists and audiologists did not perceive a rise in SSNHL incidence during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Geographical region did not influence the perception of SSNHL increase.
• Findings suggest that while a weak correlation exists with COVID-19 prevalence, SSNHL increase was not widely perceived by specialists during the pandemic.