Unveiling the impact of dengue fever on hearing health: a case control study.

BACKGROUND

Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne viral illness, has varied systemic manifestations, but its auditory effects remain underexplored. The objective of this study was to assess the association between dengue infection and hearing loss.

METHODS

A prospective case-control study was conducted on 79 patients-40 dengue-positive (NS1 antigen confirmed) and 39 with other febrile illnesses. All participants underwent otological examination and pure tone audiometry.

RESULTS

Hearing loss was observed in 15.2 per cent of dengue patients, with none in controls (p < 0.001). The odds ratio for hearing loss in dengue was 34.6 (95 per cent confidence interval: 1.97-610). Dengue patients exhibited significantly elevated air and bone conduction thresholds (p < 0.001). Lower platelet counts and higher C-reactive protein levels correlated with hearing loss, suggesting vascular and inflammatory mechanisms.

CONCLUSION

Dengue fever may be associated with reversible sensorineural hearing loss, likely due to microvascular and inflammatory injury to the cochlea. Early audiological screening is recommended in dengue cases.