COVID and Hearing (CHEAR)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Measuring Hearing, Tinnitus and Balance following COVID-19
IRAS ID
288173
Contact name
Paul Bateman
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 6 months, 2 days
Research summary
Published case series and reviews have suggested potential detrimental effects of COVID-19 infection and treatments on hearing loss, tinnitus, and/or balance (Degen et al, 2020; Prayuenyong et al, 2020). High-frequency hearing loss has also been identified in asymptomatic cases (e.g. Mustafa, 2020). However, no published study or trial has systematically assessed hearing-related outcomes following recovery from COVID-19 and therefore the short and longer-term implications for hearing health are largely unknown (Almufarrij et al, 2020). \n\nWe propose here what we intend to be the definitive study on hearing-related changes in confirmed COVID-19 cases. NUH is in an ideal position to lead this, as it has a dedicated hearing research facility at Ropewalk House as part of the NIHR Nottingham CRF, and expertise in hearing diagnostics and outcomes assessment in the NIHR Nottingham BRC. Also, the former NIHR Hearing BRU developed a highly sensitive and specific high-frequency hearing test, which can be done online from patient’s home so does not need audiological equipment, which NUH are in a unique position to apply to the study of COVID-19 patients. \n\nThis study has a two-stage design: a diagnostic baseline audio-vestibular assessment at a clinical facility, followed by ongoing monitoring at home using secure online software (for a period of at least two years). The diagnostic assessment includes a detailed case history, audiometry, tympanometry, balance assessments and questionnaires regarding hearing, tinnitus dizziness and quality of life. The monitoring task to be completed at home by participants requires participants to identify a string of three digits in varying background noise and gives a good indication of changes in high frequency hearing ability. Participants may also complete further questionnaires in the at-home monitoring period. \n
REC name
Wales REC 3
REC reference
20/WA/0341
Date of REC Opinion
15 Dec 2020
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion