Abstract
Introduction Mucormycosis, a fungal infection with severe consequences, gained prominence during
the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. While significant efforts were made
to understand the systemic implications of mucormycosis, its effect on the auditory
system remains unexplored.
Objective This study aimed to investigate the auditory implications of mucormycosis through
a comprehensive case-control study focusing on hearing loss and middle ear dysfunction.
Methods A total of 30 mucormycosis patients without prior auditory issues, and 30 age and
gender-matched controls, underwent comprehensive hearing assessment, including pure-tone
and immittance audiometry. Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics,
Mann-Whitney U test, Pearson chi-square test, and multiple logistic regression were
performed to analyze the data.
Result Mucormycosis patients exhibited significantly higher auditory thresholds across all
frequencies compared to controls (p < 0.05). Approximately half of these patients experienced some degree of hearing
loss, predominantly mild. Immittance measurement showed a higher prevalence of abnormal
tympanograms in mucormycosis patients, indicating middle ear dysfunction. Acoustic
reflex was absent in half of the mucormycosis patients suggesting impaired auditory
function.
Conclusion The present study revealed significant auditory health impacts of mucormycosis, finding
a notable prevalence of hearing loss and middle ear dysfunction, which emphasizes
the need for routine audiological evaluations and increased awareness of mucormycosis-related
auditory issues. Despite the study's limitations, we identified potential risk factors
for hearing impairment, suggesting a need for further large-scale studies to confirm
these findings and understand the mechanisms. These insights aim to improve diagnosis,
treatment, and prevention strategies for better clinical outcomes.
Keywords
mucormycosis - hearing loss - auditory system - middle ear dysfunction - pure-tone
audiometry - acoustic immittance
Bibliographical Record
Monalisa Jati, Ripu Daman Arora, Ruuzeno Koutsu, Nitin M. Nagarkar, Roshan Marandi,
Kartik Agrawal. Mucormycosis and Hearing: A Hospital-Based Study. Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol
2025; 29: s00451802578.
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1802578
