What does this research mean for the field?

Dengue fever is associated with a significantly increased risk of sensorineural hearing loss, likely driven by microvascular and inflammatory injury to the cochlea. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To explore the auditory effects of dengue fever, particularly the incidence of hearing loss in affected individuals.

June 14, 2026Open Access

International Session 7　　Larynx 2

Key Points

To explore the auditory effects of dengue fever, particularly the incidence of hearing loss in affected individuals.
Conducted a prospective case-control study with 79 participants, including 40 dengue-positive patients and 39 controls with other febrile illnesses.
All subjects underwent otological examination and pure tone audiometry to assess hearing function.
Hearing loss was found in 15.2% of dengue patients compared to 0% in controls (p<0.001).
The odds ratio for hearing loss in dengue patients was 34.6 (95% CI: 1.97-610).
Dengue patients showed significantly higher air and bone conduction thresholds (p<0.001), indicating potential cochlear impact.

Abstract

BACKGROUND : Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne viral illness, has varied systemic manifestations, but its auditory effects remain underexplored.METHODOLOGY : A prospective case-control study was conducted on 79 patients-40 dengue-positive(NS1 antigen confirmed)and 39 with other febrile illnesses not known to cause hearing loss.All participants underwent otological examination and pure tone audiometry.RESULTS : Hearing loss was observed in 15． 2％ of dengue patients, with none in controls(p＜0． 001) .The odds ratio for hearing loss in dengue was 34． 6(95％ CI : 1． 97-610) .Dengue patients exhibited significantly elevated air and bone conduction thresholds(p＜0． 001) .Lower platelet counts and higher CRP 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.

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