“Middle Ear Function of Recovered severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-COV2) Patients”.

Abstract

Background : Several otolaryngology symptoms are reported with coronavirus disease 2019. Ascending infection from the nasopharynx can affect the conductive part of the hearing pathway, which leads to middle ear (ME) effusion. Otitis media may be the fi rst presentation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infection. Objective : To evaluate ME function in recovered severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2-infected patients, and also to compare between the complaint of the patient and the test results. Patients and methods : A case e control study was performed in which the cases and controls groups were age and sex matched, with ages ranging from 18 to 50 years. The ME function of both groups was assessed using tympanometry and the Eustachian tube function test. Results : Tympanometry showed a statistically signi fi cant difference in the existence of abnormal tympanometry (type C or As) and Eustachian tube dysfunction in both ears between patients and controls. According to the comparison, there is a statistically signi fi cant difference in both ears between the Eustachian tube function and the patient ' s complaints of ear fullness or a sense of blockage. Conclusions : Coronavirus disease 2019 impairs ME function in both sick and asymptomatic individuals.