Effect of COVID-19 on peripheral and central hearing abilities

COVID-19 has caused various implications on physical and mental health of human beings. It included several symptoms involving the auditory vestibular system. This study aims to investigate the impact of active COVID-19 infection on central and peripheral auditory pathways. Two groups of subjects were involved in the research: Group I consisted of 45 individuals with no history of COVID-19, while Group II included 41 individuals who were diagnosed with COVID-19 through RT-PCR testing. The audiological battery used in this study included Pure tone audiometry, Digit in Noise test, Dichotic CV test, and Pitch pattern test, all of which were administered online. Testing was conducted in two phases for both groups. Phase 1 testing took place within the first 7 days of a positive RT-PCR result, while Phase 2 testing occurred within a week of a negative RT-PCR test. Additionally, participants completed a questionnaire to provide information on general health conditions and their otological symptoms. The results from Phase 1 testing revealed that Group II exhibited statistically lower scores in all the audiological tests compared to Group I (control group). However, during Phase 2 testing, this significant difference was no longer observed between both groups. Based on the findings, it can be inferred that the audiological pathway was compromised during the active infection stage of COVID-19. Therefore, this study highlights changes in performance concerning tests that assess the central auditory system during the infection period. SH/IRB/RP/24. Registered 12 January 2021.