Lassa Fever Induced Hearing Loss: The Neglected Disability of Hemorrhagic Fever

Objective: Lassa fever (LF), a hemorrhagic fever endemic to West Africa, has an incidence of approximately 500,000 cases per year. This study evaluated hearing loss and other sequelae following LF. Methods: This case–control study enrolled laboratory-confirmed LF survivors, non-LF febrile controls and matched-community controls with no history of LF or recent hospitalization for a febrile illness. Study participants completed a symptom questionnaire. Pure-tone audiometry was completed by a subset of participants. Results: A total of 147 subjects aged 3–66 years (mean, 23.3) were enrolled. LF survivors were significantly more likely to report balance difficulties (55% vs. 20%, p