(056) Audiometric Findings in Post-COVID Patients with Audiological Syntoms

Monday, October 2, 2023

2:45 PM – 3:45 PM East Coast USA Time

Has Audio

Presenting Author(s)

Juan R. Gutierrez Molina, Dr.

ENT HNS Resident
University of Guadalajara
Tlaquepaque, Jalisco, Mexico

Senior Author(s)

OR

Oscar Obeth Rios Coronado, n/a

Otorrinolaringología y cirugía de cabeza y cuello
Universidad de Guadalajara, Jalisco, MEX

Co-Author(s)

Carlos M. Radillo Martinez Sandoval, MD

ENT HNS Mexican Federation President, Head of Service ENT NHCGJIM
FESORMEX
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
LG

Luis R. Gonzalez Lucano, n/a

ENT HNS - National System of Researchers Member
Tecnologico de Monterrey
Guadalajara, Jalisco, MEX
MD

Magdicarla E. De Alba Marquez, MD

ENT HNS
Hospital Civil de Guadalajara
Guadalajara, Jalisco, MEX
GP

Gabriel Paz Flores, n/a

ENT HNS
Hospital Civil de Guadalajara
Guadalajara, Jalisco, MEX

Disclosure(s):

Juan R. Gutierrez Molina, Dr.: No relevant relationships to disclose.

Carlos M. Radillo Martinez Sandoval, MD: No relevant relationships to disclose.

Introduction: Investigate if there is a relationship between audiometric findings and audiological symptoms of postCOVID19 patients
Identify the prevalence of sudden hearing loss in patients infected by COVID19 with audiological symptoms

Methods: The study design was transversal/observational/descriptive. The patients were attended in Guadalajara's Civil Hospital from sep 2020 to Dec 2022 with positive test for SARS CoV2 and audiological syntoms in no more than three months after infection with the intention of finding a relationship between both of them. The inclusion criteria was: Patiets with an age between 18-50 y.o, positive test for covid19, audiological syntoms after the diagnosis
If the patient suffered from one of the next syntoms: hearing loss, tinnitus, ear fullness, ear pain or otorrhea they were selected to undergo an audiometric study

Results: The total studied ears were 94, of which 70 (74.5%) had a normal audition, (7.4%) mild conductive hearing loss, (1.1%) mild sensorineural hearing loss, 5 (5.3%) moderate sensorineural hearing loss, (4.3%) sudden hearing loss, (1%) moderate mixed hearing loss and (4.3%) ototubaritis.
60% of the studied ears had ear fullness with a OR =0.361 (0.131 – 0.995 IC 95% p =0.044) being statistically significant
Hearing loss sensation after the COVID19 was reffered in 39% of the 94 ears studied (51% of the patients) presenting 2.94 more risk of hearing loss in the audiometric study with OR = 2.940 (1.064 – 8.121, IC 95% p=0.033).
The presence of tinnitus was positive in 59.6% but the relation between hearing loss and tinnitus had a OR of 1.960 (0.721– 5.329 IC 95% p =0.183) being insufficient to set a relation between this two variables.

Conclusions: The prevalence of hearing loss in postCOVID19 patients with audiological symptoms is 38% and sudden NSHL was 8%.
Ear fullness as an audiological symptom represents a decreased risk of presenting hearing loss in tonal audiometry in post COVID19 patients with audiological symptoms
The sensation of hearing loss is related as a risk factor for presenting some degree of hearing loss in the tonal audiometry in post COVID19 patients with audiological symptoms.