Evaluation of the effects of Covid-19 on cochleovestibular system with audiovestibular tests

• Published in: Ear, nose, & throat journal Vol. 103; no. 5; pp. NP267 - NP271
• Main Authors: Bozdemir, Kazım, Çallıoğlu, Elif Ersoy, İslamoğlu, Yüce, Ercan, Mehmet Kadir, Eser, Fatma, Özdem, Birsen, Kıraç, Arda, Bayazıt, Dilara, Güner, Rahmet, Babademez, Mehmet ali
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01-05-2024; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Acoustic Impedance Tests - methods; Adult; Audiometry; Audiometry, Pure-Tone - methods; Caloric Tests - methods; Case-Control Studies; Cochlea - physiopathology; COVID-19; COVID-19 - complications; COVID-19 - diagnosis; COVID-19 - physiopathology; Ears & hearing; Female; Head Impulse Test - methods; Hearing tests; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous - physiology; Pathophysiology; SARS-CoV-2; Vestibular Function Tests - methods; Vestibule, Labyrinth - physiopathology; COVID-19; cochlea; SARS-CoV-2; inner ear; video head impulse test
• ISSN: 0145-5613; 1942-7522
• DOI: 10.1177/01455613211069916

Purpose
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of COVID-19 on audiovestibular system with Transiently Evoked Distortion Otoacoustic Emissions (TOAE), Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAE), video head impulse test (vHIT) and caloric test.
Methods
Audiovestibular findings of 24 patients with moderate/severe COVID-19 and 24 healthy controls were compared using pure tone audiometry, tympanometry, TOAE, DPOAE, caloric test, and vHIT.
Results
On audiometry, the pure tone averages of the COVID-19 patients were higher than the controls (P = .038). The TEOAE amplitudes at 4000 and 5000 Hz (P = .006 and P < .01), and DPOAE amplitudes at 3000, 6000, and 8000 Hz (P < .001, P = .003 and P < .001) were significantly lower in COVID-19 patients compared to the controls. On vestibular tests, there was no significant difference between the caloric test results of the patients and the controls (P > .05). On vHIT testing, amplitudes of right semicircular canal was found to be significantly lower in COVID-19 group compared to the control group (P = .008).
Conclusion
COVID-19 may affect inner ear functions causing a subtle damage in the outer hair cells and lateral semicircular canals. It must be kept in mind that COVID-19 may cause cochleovestibular problems.