News-Medical.Net July 31, 2024
In a retrospective cohort study published in the journal eClinicalMedicine, researchers from South Korea investigated the potential association between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), hearing loss (HL), and sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) in adults aged 20–39 years. They found that young adults with COVID-19 had a significantly higher risk of developing HL and SSNHL compared to those without COVID-19.
Background
COVID-19, with over 770 million cases and nearly 7 million deaths globally, affects multiple body systems, including the auditory system. Initial reports from Thailand and Turkey showed potential links between COVID-19 and HL or SSNHL. Evidence suggests brainstem involvement or viral meningitis in COVID-19 may contribute to neuroauditory issues. An increase in SSNHL cases during the pandemic and findings from...