Coronavirus linked to loss of hearing
COVID-19 has been ‘strongly’ linked to hearing loss by university researchers.
The new findings have been made by scientists from the University of Manchester and NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC).
As well as hearing loss, tinnitus and vertigo are ‘strongly associated’ with coronavirus.
Prof Kevin Munro and PhD researcher Ibrahim Almufarrij found 56 studies that identified an association between Covid-19 and auditory and inner ear problems.
They pooled data from 24 of the studies to estimate that the prevalence of hearing loss was 7.6 per cent, tinnitus 14.8 per cent and vertigo was 7.2 per cent.
Prof Monro said: “There is an urgent need for a carefully conducted clinical and diagnostic study to understand the long-term effects of Covid-19 on the auditory system.
“It is also well-known that viruses such as measles, mumps and meningitis can cause hearing loss; little is understood about the auditory effects of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
“Though this review provides further evidence for an association, the studies we looked at were of varying quality so more work needs to be done.”
Experts have published their findings in the International Journal of Audiology.
The team - who followed up their review carried out a year ago described the quality of the studies as fair. Their data used self-reported questionnaires or medical records to obtain Covid-19-related symptoms, rather than the more scientifically reliable hearing tests.
Professor Munro is currently leading a year-long UK study to investigate the possible long-term impact of Covid-19 on hearing.
His team hope to accurately estimate the number and severity of Covid-19related hearing disorders in the UK, and discover what parts of the auditory system might be affected.
They will also explore the association between these and other factors such as lifestyle, the presence of one or more additional conditions and critical care interventions.
A recent study led by Prof Munro suggested that more than 13 per cent of patients who were discharged from a hospital reported a change in their hearing.
“Over the last few months I have received numerous emails from people who reported a change in their hearing, or tinnitus after having Covid19,” said Prof Munro. “While this is alarming, caution is required as it is unclear if changes to hearing are directly attributed to Covid-19 or to other factors, such as treatments to deliver urgent care.” Ibrahim Almufarrij added: ““What we really need are studies that compare Covid-19 cases with controls, such as patients admitted to hospital with other health conditions.”