COVID-19 Hearing loss study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigation into hearing loss as a manifestation of Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) - a pilot study
IRAS ID
300314
Contact name
Ananth Vijendren
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
East and North Herts NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may affect nerve function as some patients have had altered sense of smell and taste and anecdotally in the UK Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) forums, there have been several case reports that the hearing and balance may be affected. One study has suggested that part of the hearing organ (the cochlea) is affected in patients who might subjectively be unaware of any hearing loss1.
The purpose of this study is to determine if SARS-CoV2 virus affects hearing, and if so, at what point in the hearing pathway. This will help us determine if symptomatic COVID patients should have their hearing tested as a matter of protocol, if there is high prevalence, alert primary care practitioners about this possibility if present, and alert the ENT community about the potential for hearing loss. This will allow early recognition and prompt medical and rehabilitation treatments to be instituted in a timely manner.
The candidate predictors of hearing loss have been postulated to be age, gender, severity of symptoms of COVID-19 (requirements for oxygen or ventilation, type of medication received), presence of vestibular and other otological symptoms present before or at the time of onset of COVID-19.
REC name
East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC 1
REC reference
21/ES/0055
Date of REC Opinion
28 May 2021
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion