Study of the Hearing Profile in Post COVID-19 Patients in a Sample of College Students

Background: Since loss of the senses of taste and smell are the most prominent signs of infection with COVID-19, this indicates SARS CoV-2 affect sensory nerves. Therefore, it is expected that the same virus will affect the rest of the senses, such as the hearing. Purpose: To find out if there is an effect of infection with COVID-19 on hearing efficiency of youth community as well as a study of some related matters affecting hearing. Methodology: A cross-sectional study. The young healthy participants (students) with a history of COVID 19 infection underwent hearing examinations: Pure Tone Audiometry and tympanometry tests and each of them filled out a questionnaire including demographic information, general health status, auditory health, respiratory health, and symptoms and signs that occurred at the time of COVID-19 infection. Results: It was noted that there is slight drop of the hearing thresholds toward the mid and high frequencies (2000, 4000, 8000 Hz) for both ears; slight, mild and moderate hearing losses occurred in very small minority of the subjects, while more pronounced losses (moderately severe, severe, profound) were not recorded. In other words, there are no serious and worrying effect of COVID-19 infection on the auditory condition of the participants. Conclusion: This study reached in conclusion that there is a prevalence of slight and mild hearing loss in the second half of the frequencies (mid & high frequencies). This is not considered a lethal pathological effect of the virus, and it can be said that there is no severe influence of COVID-19 on hearing efficiency