Background: Despite Audio-vestibular symptoms were reported in several studies, still limited and further investigations are necessary to confirm the effects of COVID - 19 on the audio-vestibular system and estimate their incidence.
Aim of the study: This study aimed to highlight the extent of affection of the audio-vestibular system in post COVID 19 Egyptian subjects and to describe the pattern of affection, if any.
Patients and Method: A total number of 105 confirmed post COVID-19 subjects, recruited from Ain shams University hospitals compared to 50 normal age and gender matched healthy volunteers with no history of COVID 19 participated as control group. All participants were subjected to: detailed history taking, Otological and otoscopic examination, Pure Tone & speech Audiometry, Acoustic immittancemetry testing and screening bedside tests for vestibular and balance impairment.
Results: Thirty-four subjects (32%) had hearing loss. Twenty-nine subjects (28%) had SNHL, 5 subjects (5%) had CHL and 16 cases (15%) had vestibular affection.
Conclusion: Post COVID-19 auditory-vestibular affection is to be documented. The majority of affected subjects had bilateral, moderate, high frequency SNHL with sudden onset. BPPV is the most common cause of post COVID-19 vertigo.