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A systematic review of SARS-CoV-2 associated sudden onset sensorineural hearing loss

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 April 2025

Maisie Fouweather Open the ORCID record for Maisie Fouweather [Opens in a new window] ,
Benjamin Talks ,
Nicholas Dawe  and
Michael Mather
Maisie Fouweather*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK Newcastle University Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
Benjamin Talks
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK Newcastle University Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
Nicholas Dawe
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
Michael Mather
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK Newcastle University Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
*
Corresponding author: Maisie Fouweather; Email: maisie.fouweather1@nhs.net
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Abstract

Objectives

Sudden onset sensorineural hearing loss has been associated with infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2. However, little is known regarding how this differs from sudden onset sensorineural hearing loss of other aetiologies. This systematic review summarises existing literature on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 associated sudden onset sensorineural hearing loss treatment and outcomes.

Methods

A literature search using Ovid was performed for studies which evaluated treatments and outcomes of patients with sudden onset sensorineural hearing loss associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infection.

Results

A total of 99 studies were identified, from which 14 studies were selected for inclusion - collectively including 154 patients. Nine of these studies were single participant case reports and five were larger case series. Corticosteroid treatment varied between studies in terms of administration route, dose, and duration. Only 63/154 patients in this review achieved complete resolution of their symptoms following steroid treatment.

Conclusion

Oral, intravenous, and intratympanic steroids demonstrate a good safety profile. However, the majority of patients are left with unresolved hearing loss.

Keywords

hearing losssensorineuralhearing losssuddenCovid-19SARS-CoV-2steroids
Type
Main Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , First View , pp. 1 - 7
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED.

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Footnotes

Maisie Fouweather takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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