Cochlear implantation for single-sided deafness after COVID-19 hospitalization

Introduction Understanding the clinical manifestations of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has become an urgent objective in the research community. Amongst the emerging neurologic complications is sensorineural hearing loss. While several cases of hearing loss amongst COVID-19 patients have been reported, the management of these patients has yet to be discussed and determined. Herein we present cochlear implant outcomes for a patient who suffered from unilateral sensorineural hearing loss after a prolonged hospital course for COVID-19. Methods A patient who was hospitalized for COVID-19 for one month and subsequently developed unilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss underwent cochlear implantation for single-sided deafness. His COVID-19 hospital course was reviewed in detail. Speech perception and audiometric assessments were used to evaluate cochlear implant outcomes. Results After cochlear implantation, the patient demonstrated improved speech perception on the implanted side and decreased tinnitus within 1 month of activation. Conclusions Cochlear implantation may be an appropriate intervention for patients who suffer from severe sensorineural hearing loss following infection with COVID-19.