Audiological Outcomes in Mild to Moderate Post-COVID-19 Patients: A Longitudinal Study in a South Indian Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Objective:

The audio-vestibular symptoms commonly reported after COVID-19 usually presents within 6 weeks post infection. This study aimed to assess the effect of COVID-19 infection on the auditory status.

Methods:

This longitudinal prospective study included 74 patients diagnosed with mild to moderate COVID- 19 infection using PCR. Audiological assessment using Pure tone audiometry (PTA), speech audiometry, immittance evaluation, and transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) were done at 2 weeks post infection and 4 weeks following.

Results:

PTA showed a significant difference in the AC thresholds but not for the BC thresholds across 2 visits. Impedance audiometry revealed a significant difference over 2 visits for A tympanogram (P = .006). TEOAE was affected only at 1000 Hz (P < .05)

Conclusion:

Audio-vestibular symptoms are infrequent in COVID-19 infection. There is a conductive nature of hearing impairment, as evidenced in the initial and follow-up evaluations. The TEOAE changes at 1000 Hz raises the possibility of subclinical cochlear involvement.