Audiometric Profile in Post-COVID-19 Patients

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Infectious Diseases
• Audiology

Background:

• Uncertainty exists regarding COVID-19 as a risk factor for hearing loss.
• Previous studies have suggested potential links, but further investigation is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the audiometric profile of patients post-COVID-19 infection.
• To compare hearing thresholds between COVID-19 survivors and unexposed individuals.
• To identify correlations between COVID-19 related symptoms and hearing changes.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study design was employed.
• 120 individuals with confirmed COVID-19 history were compared to 120 unexposed controls.
• Pure-tone thresholds were evaluated between 2021 and 2023.

Main Results:

• COVID-19 survivors exhibited higher median tonal thresholds in both ears compared to controls.
• The rate of hearing threshold alteration was significantly higher in the COVID-19 group (28.3%) versus the control group (15%).
• Hearing loss and tinnitus were significantly associated with changes in pure-tone thresholds post-COVID-19.

Conclusions:

• COVID-19 exposure is associated with worse audiometric thresholds.
• Individuals with a history of COVID-19 demonstrate an increased incidence of hearing changes.
• The findings highlight a potential link between COVID-19 and auditory dysfunction.