Audiological implications of COVID-19: an integrative literature review

ABSTRACT Purpose: to survey the national and international literature on the impacts of the coronavirus infection on the auditory system. Methods: an integrative review with search in the BIREME, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Sciences databases. Inclusion criteria: articles in Portuguese and English whose subject was the coronavirus infection and its effects on the auditory system. Exclusion criteria: information from books and/or chapters, letters to editors, review articles, experience reports. The search strategy was based on the following combined descriptors, respectively in Portuguese and English: “Infecções por coronavírus”, “Audição”, “Perda auditiva”, “Coronavirus infections”, “Hearing”, “Hearing Loss”. Results: out of 43 articles found, two approached the issue. The first study assessed 20 patients that tested positive for COVID-19, though asymptomatic, who underwent pure-tone threshold audiometry and otoacoustic emissions. A significant increase in the auditory thresholds at high frequencies and a smaller response amplitude in the transient evoked otoacoustic emissions of those who tested positive for COVID-19 were observed when compared to that of controls. The second study reported the case of an asymptomatic 35-year-old COVID-19 female patient, who complained of otalgia and tinnitus, after being contaminated. The pure-tone threshold audiometry and tympanometry indicated mild unilateral (right ear) conductive hearing loss, with a type B tympanometric curve on that side. Conclusion: the studies included in this review showed different consequences of COVID-19 on hearing, with possible impairments on the sensory and mechanical structures of the auditory system. The knowledge of COVID-19 is limited, and further studies on its real impact on the auditory system are necessary.

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Effects of Smoking on the Auditory System: Is There a Gender Difference?

Ear Nose & Throat Journal ◽

10.1177/0145561319872166 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 014556131987216

Author(s):

Emine Demir ◽

Metin Celiker ◽

Nazife Nur Afacan ◽

Elif Aydogan ◽

Gokce Aydin Balaban ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gender Differences ◽

Hearing Loss ◽

Auditory System ◽

Pure Tone ◽

Pure Tone Audiometry ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Sound Energy ◽

High Frequencies ◽

Hearing Thresholds ◽

Dose Dependent

The main aim of our study is to evaluate whether the effect of smoking on the auditory system shows gender differences. Another aim is to evaluate whether smoking has any influence on the absorbance of sound. There were 236 volunteers including 90 nonsmokers (42 females and 48 males) and 146 smokers (72 females and 74 males) in the study. Smokers were grouped according to pack-years of smoking as 5 to 10 pack-years, 11 to 20 pack-years, and more than 20 pack-years. Pure tone audiometry and wideband tympanometry were performed in all individuals. Both female and male smokers who consume more than 20 pack-years had significantly higher hearing thresholds at 4 and 6 kHz and significantly lower sound energy absorbance rates at 4, 6, and 8 kHz. Moreover, female smokers with a consumption of 11 to 20 pack-years had significantly higher hearing thresholds at 6 kHz and significantly lower sound energy absorbance rates at 6 and 8 kHz. Smoking causes hearing loss at high frequencies in both females and males, especially in a dose-dependent manner affecting individuals with a consumption of more than 20 pack-years. The sound energy absorbance is significantly reduced at 4, 6, and 8 kHz. In addition, these effects may occur in women with even less exposure.

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Audiological assessment and otoacoustic emissions in patients with head and neck cancer

Revista CEFAC ◽

10.1590/1982-0216/20202248719 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Pâmela Fukazawa ◽

Sarah da Silva Santos ◽

Raquel Caroline Ferreira Lopes Fontanelli ◽

Daniela Gil

Keyword(s):

Head And Neck Cancer ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Neck Cancer ◽

Otoacoustic Emissions ◽

Pure Tone ◽

Auditory Thresholds ◽

High Frequency Audiometry ◽

History Of ◽

General Response ◽

Pure Tone Threshold

ABSTRACT Purpose: to describe the audiological and otoacoustic emission findings in patients who had head and neck cancer and compare them with individuals without the disease. Methods: a comparative, cross-sectional, observational study encompassing two groups: Study: individuals with a history of head and neck cancer, submitted to chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy; Control: individuals without the disease. The sample comprised 23 individuals in each group, matched for age and gender. Procedures in which the groups were compared: meatoscopy; pure-tone threshold and high-frequency audiometry; speech audiometry; transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions. Statistical tests: Pearson’s chi-square; Fisher’s exact; two-proportion Z-test; Wilcoxon; Mann-Whitney; Student’s t-test. Results: the comparison between the groups revealed statistically significant differences at the 3, 6, 8, 10, and 12.5 kHz frequencies in the pure-tone threshold audiometry, with better pure-tone auditory thresholds in the control group. No significant differences were observed between the groups in the otoacoustic emissions regarding the general response and frequency band. Conclusion: individuals with a history of head and neck cancer had higher pure-tone auditory thresholds than their controls, especially at the higher frequencies. This evidences the deleterious effect of ototoxicity on the peripheral auditory system of adults. The otoacoustic emissions were similar in the two groups.

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Evaluation of Efferent Auditory System and Hearing Quality in Parkinson's Disease: Is the Difficulty in Speech Understanding in Complex Listening Conditions Related to Neural Degeneration or Aging?

Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research ◽

10.1044/2020_jslhr-20-00337 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Nuriye Yıldırım Gökay ◽

Bülent Gündüz ◽

Fatih Söke ◽

Recep Karamert

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Auditory System ◽

Otoacoustic Emissions ◽

Pure Tone ◽

Pure Tone Audiometry ◽

Auditory Pathway ◽

Normal Hearing ◽

System Function ◽

Distortion Product

Purpose The effects of neurological diseases on the auditory system have been a notable issue for investigators because the auditory pathway is closely associated with neural systems. The purposes of this study are to evaluate the efferent auditory system function and hearing quality in Parkinson's disease (PD) and to compare the findings with age-matched individuals without PD to present a perspective on aging. Method The study included 35 individuals with PD (mean age of 48.50 ± 8.00 years) and 35 normal-hearing peers (mean age of 49 ± 10 years). The following tests were administered for all participants: the first section of the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale; pure-tone audiometry, speech audiometry, tympanometry, and acoustic reflexes; and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) and contralateral suppression of DPOAEs. SPSS Version 25 was used for statistical analyses, and values of p < .05 were considered statistically significant. Results There were no statistically significant differences in the pure-tone audiometry thresholds and DPOAE responses between the individuals with PD and their normal-hearing peers ( p = .732). However, statistically significant differences were found between the groups in suppression levels of DPOAEs and hearing quality ( p < .05). In addition, a statistically significant and positive correlation was found between the amount of suppression at some frequencies and the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale scores. Conclusions This study indicates that medial olivocochlear efferent system function and the hearing quality of individuals with PD were affected adversely due to the results of PD pathophysiology on the hearing system. For optimal intervention and follow-up, tasks related to hearing quality in daily life can also be added to therapies for PD.

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Conductive hearing loss assessment in children with otitis media with effusion. A comparison of pure tone and BERA results

Clinical Otolaryngology ◽

10.1111/j.1365-2273.1989.tb00346.x ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 115-120 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

E. A. J. G. CONIJN ◽

J. F. C. DRIFT ◽

M. P. BROCAAR ◽

G. A. VAN ZANTEN

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Otitis Media ◽

Pure Tone ◽

Conductive Hearing Loss ◽

Otitis Media With Effusion ◽

Loss Assessment ◽

Conductive Hearing

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Effect of mastoid drilling on hearing of the contralateral ear

The Journal of Laryngology & Otology ◽

10.1017/s0022215113001965 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 127 (10) ◽

pp. 952-956 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

A Goyal ◽

P P Singh ◽

A Vashishth

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

High Frequency ◽

Otoacoustic Emissions ◽

Pure Tone Audiometry ◽

Otoacoustic Emission ◽

Prospective Clinical Study ◽

Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission ◽

High Frequencies ◽

Distortion Product ◽

Contralateral Ear

AbstractObjectives:This study aimed to: understand the effect that high intensity noise associated with drilling (during otological surgery) has on hearing in the contralateral ear; determine the nature of hearing loss, if any, by establishing whether it is temporary or persistent; and examine the association between hearing loss and various drill parameters.Methods:A prospective clinical study was carried out at a tertiary centre. Thirty patients with unilateral cholesteatoma and normal contralateral hearing were included. Patients were evaluated pre-operatively and for five days following surgery using high frequency pure tone audiometry, and low and high frequency transient evoked and distortion product otoacoustic emission testing.Results:The findings revealed statistically significant changes in distortion product otoacoustic emissions at high frequencies (p = 0.016), and in transient evoked otoacoustic emissions at both low and high frequencies (p = 0.035 and 0.021, respectively). There was a higher statistical association between otoacoustic emission changes and cutting burrs compared with diamond burrs.Conclusion:Drilling during mastoid surgery poses a threat to hearing in the contralateral ear due to noise and vibration conducted transcranially.

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Cochlear function in patients with chronic kidney disease

South African Journal of Communication Disorders ◽

10.4102/sajcd.v60i1.10 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 60 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Samantha Marlanie Govender ◽

Cyril Devdas Govender ◽

Glenda Matthews

Keyword(s):

Chronic Kidney Disease ◽

Hearing Loss ◽

Kidney Disease ◽

Otoacoustic Emissions ◽

Pure Tone ◽

Pure Tone Audiometry ◽

Drug Intake ◽

Cochlear Function ◽

Distortion Product ◽

Cochlear Dysfunction

Objective: To evaluate cochlear functioning in patients (18 - 45 years old) with varying stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Using purposive sampling, 50 participants, 10 in each of the 5 stages of CKD, were selected and underwent pure tone audiometric testing and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs).Results: Significant differences (p<0.05) were found between pure tone audiometry and DPOAEs in detecting early cochlear dysfunction in the high-frequency range in stages 3 (6 000/5 000 Hz; p=0.00), 4 (6 000/5 000 Hz; p<0.03) and 5 (4 000/3 333 Hz; p<0.01, 8 000/6 667 Hz:p<0.05) with DPOAEs being more sensitive in identifying early cochlear dysfunction. Patients in stages 1 and 2 presented with normal puretone thresholds and DPOAEs, suggesting that cochlear functioning in these patients was normal. Early cochlear dysfunction, thereby indicating a subclinical hearing loss, was identified in stages 3, 4 and 5 by DPOAE testing. In addition, blood test results, drug intake and concomitant conditions were recorded and analysed which suggested a relationship between reduced cochlear functioning and increased electrolyte levels, treatment regimens and concomitant conditions.Conclusion: Participants in the later stages of CKD presented with early cochlear dysfunction, presenting with subclinical hearing loss. It was postulated that this subclinical hearing loss resulted from a combination of electrolytic, urea and creatinine imbalances, together with concomitant medical conditions and ototoxic drug intake. It was concluded that audiological monitoring be included in the management of patients with CKD and that DPOAEs be introduced as part of the test battery to monitor cochlear function in patients with varying degrees of CKD.

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Estimation of auditory threshold in an extended frequency range in elderly people

Science and Innovations in Medicine ◽

10.35693/2500-1388-2019-4-4-7-4 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4 (4) ◽

pp. 4-7

Author(s):

Lubov V. Aizenshtadt ◽

Tatyana Yu. Vladimirova ◽

Alexandr V. Kurenkov ◽

Anastasia M. Kashapova

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Age Group ◽

Auditory Function ◽

Frequency Range ◽

Auditory Thresholds ◽

High Frequencies ◽

Age Related ◽

Hearing Thresholds ◽

Extended Frequency Range ◽

Extended Frequency

Objectives - to study hearing thresholds at high frequencies in elderly and senile patients, taking into account the age norm and the presence of comorbid diseases. Material and methods. 111 patients aged from 50 to 97 years (mean age 70.5 ± 2.1) were examined, their age, auditory function, and concomitant diseases were also registered. Results. The measured average auditory thresholds at high frequencies, if compared to the age-related standards for auditory sensitivity, have revealed an underestimated hearing loss in 12.6% of patients. The presence of concomitant diseases has a significant impact on the development of chronic sensorineural hearing loss in each age group. Conclusion. Audiometry in an extended frequency range in elderly patients with concurrent diseases can improve the hearing examination algorithm.

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Modification of auditory pathway functions in patients with hearing improvement after middle ear surgery

Otolaryngology ◽

10.1016/s0194-5998(98)70183-4 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 119 (1) ◽

pp. 125-130 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Juha-Pekka Vasama ◽

Jyrki P. Mäkelä ◽

Hans A. Ramsay

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Middle Ear ◽

Pure Tone ◽

Conductive Hearing Loss ◽

Adult Patients ◽

Middle Ear Surgery ◽

Ear Surgery ◽

Pure Tone Average ◽

The Mean ◽

Conductive Hearing

We recorded auditory-evoked magnetic responses with a whole-scalp 122-channel neuromagnetometer from seven adult patients with unilateral conductive hearing loss before and after middle ear surgery. The stimuli were 50-msec 1-kHz tone bursts, delivered to the healthy, nonoperated ear at interstimulus intervals of 1, 2, and 4 seconds. The mean preoperative pure-tone average in the affected ear was 57 dB hearing level; the mean postoperative pure-tone average was 17 dB. The 100-msec auditory-evoked response originating in the auditory cortex peaked, on average, 7 msecs earlier after than before surgery over the hemisphere contralateral to the stimulated ear and 2 msecs earlier over the ipsilateral hemisphere. The contralateral response strengths increased by 5% after surgery; ipsilateral strengths increased by 11%. The variation of the response latency and amplitude in the patients who underwent surgery was similar to that of seven control subjects. The postoperative source locations did not differ noticeably from preoperative ones. These findings suggest that temporary unilateral conductive hearing loss in adult patients modifies the function of the auditory neural pathway. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1998;119:125-30.)

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