Bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss after COVID-19 and results after unilateral cochlear implantation.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There are only a few case studies describing the audio-vestibular symptoms related to COVID-19. A previous report shows a prevalence of tinnitus after COVID-19 disease in 14.8%, hearing loss in 7.6%, and vertigo in 7.2%. Most clinical cases worldwide reported a moderate-to-severe sensorineural hearing loss, mainly from high frequencies measured by pure tone audiometry. There is no consensus on a recommended treatment. Some case reports refer clinical improvement with the use of intratympanic steroids, while others advise the combination of intratympanic and systemic steroids.

CLINICAL CASE: A 46-year-old male patient with profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss after a severe COVID-19 disease, which required in-hospital care for 62 days. Many elements may have participated in the development of his hearing loss. A cochlear implant was placed in the left ear, one year and seven months after being diagnosed with COVID-19.

CONCLUSIONS: This case report is the second showing the development of profound bilateral hearing loss after a COVID-19 infection and the results after cochlear implantation; the first one is only described in a letter to the editor.

KEYWORDS: Hearing loss, sensorineural; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Cochlear implant.