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    Rights statement: This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in International Journal of Audiology on 09/08/2021, available online:  https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14992027.2021.1957161

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Is COVID-19 associated with self-reported audio-vestibular symptoms?

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<mark>Journal publication date</mark>31/10/2022
<mark>Journal</mark>International Journal of Audiology
Issue number10
Volume61
Number of pages9
Pages (from-to)832-840
Publication StatusPublished
Early online date9/08/21
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

Objective
To determine if a positive test for COVID-19 is associated with self-reported audio-vestibular symptoms.

Design
Self-reported changes in hearing, tinnitus, hyperacusis, and dizziness/rotatory vertigo were assessed in hospitalised and non-hospitalised COVID-19 patients during and after the acute phase of the disease and compared to non-COVID controls.

Study sample
There were 150 severe cases of COVID-19 requiring hospital admission and 150 mild cases that were managed at home. Controls were 267 adults, 32 of whom had been hospitalised for a non-COVID-19 condition, and a further 85 who worked in hospital settings.

Results
Deterioration in hearing and/or tinnitus was reported in 8% of the COVID-19 cases (tinnitus had resolved in 2% after the acute phase), with no significant difference between severe and mild cases. Deterioration in hearing or tinnitus was not significantly different from controls. However, rotatory vertigo was reported by 5% in the COVID-19 groups and 1.1% in the controls, and this difference was statistically significant.

Conclusions
There is no evidence that COVID-19 results in deterioration in hearing or tinnitus during the acute phase or after recovery in mild or severe cases. However, rotatory vertigo, which could be vestibular in origin, may be a clinical manifestation of COVID-19.

Bibliographic note

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in International Journal of Audiology on 09/08/2021, available online:  https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14992027.2021.1957161