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Sudden hearing loss and coronavirus disease 2019: the role of corticosteroid intra-tympanic injection in hearing improvement

Part of: JLO Coronavirus Collection

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 April 2021

V Rahimi ,
M K Asiyabar  and
N Rouhbakhsh
V Rahimi
Affiliation:
Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
M K Asiyabar*
Affiliation:
ENT and Head & Neck Research center and Department, Hazrate Rasoul Hospital, The Five Senses Health Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
N Rouhbakhsh
Affiliation:
Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
*
Author for correspondence: Dr Mojgan Kiyani Asiyabar, ENT and Head & Neck Research center and Department, Hazrate Rasoul Hospital, The Five Senses Health Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Niayesh St, Sattarkhan Ave, Tehran14455-364, Iran E-mail: kiyani.asiyabar.m@gmail.com
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Abstract

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 was first seen in December 2019. Due to the insidious and complex nature of the disease, the list of symptoms is rapidly expanding. So far, few studies have reported sudden sensorineural hearing loss as a possible symptom of coronavirus disease 2019.

Case report

A 60-year-old woman with a complaint of sudden sensorineural hearing loss and subjective severe tinnitus presented to the ENT clinic. Coronavirus disease 2019 was subsequently confirmed with a polymerase chain reaction test. At the time of presentation, she was treated with intra-tympanic dexamethasone. Improvements in hearing threshold and speech perception, and a subjective reduction in tinnitus, were observed after treatment.

Conclusion

This case report supports evidence from other case reports of a possible association between coronavirus disease 2019 and sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Sudden sensorineural hearing loss may be a symptom of this disease that behaves as an underlying aggravating factor. Intra-tympanic injection of corticosteroids is recommended for managing these patients during the pandemic.

Keywords

COVID-19CoronavirusSensorineural Hearing LossCorticosteroid
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 135 , Issue 5 , May 2021 , pp. 464 - 466
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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Footnotes

Dr M K Asiyabar takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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