Objective: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2) is a viral infection that could affect inner ear and related structures. This study aims to evaluate the effect of SARS-CoV-2 on intracochlear electrode impedances in cochlear implant users.
Methods: Thirteen cochlear implant (CI) users were included who recovered from SARS-CoV-2. All of the participants were atleast 1 year CI users and 3 of them bilateral user. Telemetry/impedance values were gathered after SARS-Cov-2 recovery from CI users. Three different impedance values obtained at different times were compared in pairs, 2 before and 1 after SARS-CoV-2 for apical, medial, and basal intracochlear electrode groups. The first comparison was between pre-1 and post, and the second comparison was between pre-2 and post.
Results: While a statistically significant difference was obtained in the apical region only in the first comparison (P=.046), no statistically significant difference was obtained in the second comparison (P=.798). The statistically significant difference was not found in both first and second comparisons made for the medial region (P=.938, P=.744, respectively). Statistically significant difference was obtained in both first and second comparisons made in the basal region (P=.007, P=.004, respectively). In the measurements with statistically significant difference, the impedance values obtained after SARS-CoV-2 were higher than the values obtained before SARS-CoV-2.
Conclusion: Since the tissue density is higher in the basal region, the inflammation caused by SARS-CoV-2 in the cochlear structures mainly affects the electrodes in the basal region. As a viral infection, SARS-CoV-2 may be result in changes in telemetry/impedance values for intracochlear electrodes.
Cite this article as: Koç MK, Öz Baran C, Çiçek Çınar B, Sennaroğlu G. How intracochlear electrodes effected from SARS-CoV-2 after recovery? Arch Health Sci Res. 2024;11(1):20-23