Key points 1- We report otitis media in eight patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and no background history of otologic problems. 2- Otitis media was the first manifestation of COVID-19 in the majority of patients in this case series. 3- Effusion in the middle ear was present in six patients, three patients had typical signs of acute otitis media, with one patient having tympanic membrane perforation. 4- Hearing loss was present in majority of patients, with conductive and mild sensory-neural loss at high frequency as the underlying mechanisms. 5- Our findings suggest that otitis media should be considered a possible manifestation of COVID-19 during the current pandemic.