Hearing Loss, Tinnitus, and Dizziness in COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Overview

Journal Can J Neurol Sci

Specialty Neurology

Date 2021 Apr 12

PMID 33843530

Citations 73

Authors

Zahra Jafari

Bryan E Kolb

Majid H Mohajerani

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objectives: Extensive studies indicate that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) involves human sensory systems. A lack of discussion, however, exists given the auditory-vestibular system involvement in CoV disease 2019 (COVID-19). The present systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to determine the event rate (ER) of hearing loss, tinnitus, and dizziness caused by SARS-CoV-2.

Methods: Databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, Wiley) and World Health Organization updates were searched using combined keywords: 'COVID-19,' 'SARS-CoV-2,' 'pandemic,' 'auditory dysfunction,' 'hearing loss,' 'tinnitus,' 'vestibular dysfunction,' 'dizziness,' 'vertigo,' and 'otologic symptoms.'

Results: Twelve papers met the eligibility criteria and were included in the study. These papers were single group prospective, cross-sectional, or retrospective studies on otolaryngologic, neurologic, or general clinical symptoms of COVID-19 and had used subjective assessments for data collection (case histories/medical records). The results of the meta-analysis demonstrate that the ER of hearing loss (3.1%, CIs: 0.01-0.09), tinnitus (4.5%, CIs: 0.012-0.153), and dizziness (12.2%, CIs: 0.070-0.204) is statistically significant in patients with COVID-19 (Z ≤ -4.469, p ≤ 0.001).

Conclusions: COVID-19 can cause hearing loss, tinnitus, and dizziness. These findings, however, should be interpreted with caution given insufficient evidence and heterogeneity among studies. Well-designed studies and follow-up assessments on otologic symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 using standard objective tests are recommended.

Citing Articles

Evaluation of the Peripheral and Central Auditory Systems in Children and Adolescents Before and After COVID-19 Infection.

Siqueira J, Sanfins M, Skarzynski P, Skarzynska M, Colella-Santos M Children (Basel). 2025; 11(12.

PMID: 39767883 PMC: 11674957. DOI: 10.3390/children11121454.

No lasting impact of Covid-19 on the auditory system: a prospective cohort study.

Hassani S, Lazem M, Jafari Z J Laryngol Otol. 2024; 135(12):1063-1068.

PMID: 39658938 PMC: 8576134. DOI: 10.1017/S002221512100267X.

Sudden Hearing Loss Waves: The Effect of COVID-19 Infection and Vaccination on the Inner Ear.

Tawk K, Tawk A, Abouzari M Adv Exp Med Biol. 2024; 1457:265-283.

PMID: 39283432 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-61939-7_15.

Potential mechanisms of gut microbiota influence on different types of vertigo: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization and mediation analysis.

Rong Q, Chen H, Chen Y, Xu M, Chen R, Li C BMC Neurol. 2024; 24(1):297.

PMID: 39192194 PMC: 11348725. DOI: 10.1186/s12883-024-03805-x.

Neurological Complications of COVID-19 Infection: A Comprehensive Review.

Brauer T, Paika S, Kotwani R, Khanna D Cureus. 2024; 16(7):e65192.

PMID: 39176347 PMC: 11341106. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.65192.

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