Hearing Loss in Patients with Covid-19: A Narrative Review

Although the most common symptoms of Covid-19 are otolaryngological symptoms, including cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, and loss of sense of smell and taste, there are reports of autological and audiological manifestations of the disease such as hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness and, etc. The present study aims to review existing studies on the occurrence of hearing loss, its types, and possible causes in Covid-19 patients.

Studies have shown that the likelihood of conductive hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss, and sudden deafness increases following Covid-19 infection. Upper respiratory tract infection, followed by acute otitis media, can significantly cause conductive hearing loss in Covid-19 people. Studies have reported various reasons for sensorineural hearing loss and sudden deafness. It contains direct viral damage to peripheral organs, vascular disorders, and the use of ototoxic drugs.

Because persistent hearing loss has devastating effects on quality of life, early detection and early intervention are essential. According to the available reports, hearing loss can be one of the complications of Covid-19 infection. Still, due to the lack of sufficient evidence and heterogeneity among studies, this hypothesis has not been proven yet. Therefore, longitudinal studies on a more significant number of patients using appropriate assessment instruments are recommended.