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

Abstract

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.