Prevalence and Management of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss During
the COVID-19 Crisis: How do we do it and our experience in twelve
patients
Abstract
Introduction Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) management is
controversial. Systemic steroids as treatment is the most recommended.
British society of otology advised caution when prescribing systemic
steroids during COVID-19 crisis. As a result, intratympanic steroids
(ITS), seem to offer an alternative. Methods: Number of performed MRI
scans for investigation of SSNHL between 01/01/2019 and 31/12/2019. This
was used as a surrogate measure, reflecting the number of patients with
SSNHL over that 12 months period. All patients who were diagnosed and
treated for SSNHL between the 16th of March 2020 and the 8th of July
2020 were included in this study. Clinical outcomes included time
interval between onset of SSNHL and start of treatment, response to
treatment and side effects Results: In 2019, only 10 scan s for SSNHL
were done. Twelve patients presented with SSNHL during 4 months of
COVID-19 crisis (16 weeks). Three patients had dead ear on presentation
with almost no response to steroids. Conclusion The prevalence of SSNHL
in time of COVID-19 pandemic appears to be higher than that before the
pandemic. ITS appears to be a safe, feasible and relatively effective
method of SSNHL treatment during COVID-19 pandemic. Shared
decision-making with the patient is central to any intervention,
especially with lack of robust evidence.