Sudden Hearing Loss Related to COVID-19 Adenovirus Vector Vaccine?

There are increasing reports connecting the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccinations and adverse otological events. These events are mostly explained by the immunological effects or the recorded thrombotic consequences of the vaccinations. The inner ear is liable to be insulted by the thrombosis of the terminal auditory artery causing sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). We reported two cases that suffered from SSNHL within 2 weeks after the first dose of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine without any previous hearing problems. These cases showed severe–profound hearing loss in the audiological evaluation. The first case presented with a vestibular hypofunction in the affected ear and received a course of systemic corticosteroids, followed by anticoagulants (heparin). The second case, instead, received six intratympanic injections of corticosteroid, followed by hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The audiological function partially recovered after the treatment in both cases, with complete vertigo recovery in the first case. These results revealed a kind of similarity of the clinical course in COVID-19- and non-COVID-19-associated SSNHL. Hyperbaric therapy showed to be helpful for improving the prognosis.