By Robert M. DiSogra
This article is a part of the May/June 2020, Volume 32, Volume 3, Audiology Today issue.
In an effort to combat the coronavirus (COVID-19), front-line physicians are re-purposing two drugs: hydroxychloroquine (commonly used for malaria and rheumatoid arthritis) and azithromycin (a macrolide antibiotic used to treat common infections of the respiratory system, the ear and the eye). Both drugs are known ototoxic agents; however, there is no published research about the synergistic ototoxic effects of these drugs in treating COVID-19.
At the present time, it is not known if hearing loss and/or tinnitus will be a late onset side effect of this COVID-19 drug intervention. Therefore, case history questions will need to be added to accommodate this new population of patients.
COVID-19 Infection
The coronavirus disease was identified in 2019 and named/identified as “COVID-19.” The virus is a microscopic parasitic microbe. Once inhaled, the virus will attach itself to the cell’s membrane then duplicate itself destroying more cells in the process. The associated respiratory distress can lead to death.
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