PACCMan

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Persistent Auditory Consequences of COVID-19: A Manchester research study (PACCMan)

• IRAS ID

  291704

• Contact name

  Kevin J Munro

• Contact email

  kevin.j.munro@manchester.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  The University of Manchester

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 5 months, 31 days

• Research summary

  13% of patients hospitalised for COVID-19 report persistent auditory symptoms following recovery from the acute phase of the illness. We have been given funding (mainly by RNID) to understand the longer-term impact of COVID-19 on the hearing of adults. Specific objectives are to:
  • Obtain an estimate of the prevalence of COVID-19-related auditory disorders
  • Identify the anatomical location and severity of COVID-19-related auditory disorders
  • Explore the association between COVID-19 related auditory disorders and potential biomarkers e.g., lifestyle, co-morbidities, and critical care interventions

  A team of two researchers will visit participants (ex-hospitalised patients living in the north-west) at their homes using our custom-built hearing-assessment van. Bringing the hearing tests to the patients, rather than vice versa, is appropriate for ex-COVID-19 patients (who may experience fatigue and other lingering symptoms) and current COVID-19-related restrictions on personal travel. The sample of 218 participants will be evenly divided between COVID-19 patients and patients hospitalised for other illnesses.

  The data-collection session will last <2.5 hours. Hearing testing will be state-of-the-art and comprehensive, but not unpleasant or invasive for participants:
  • Pure-tone audiometry: Listening for quiet beeps via headphones
  • Otoacoustic emissions: Sitting still while pairs of beeps are played through an earphone
  • Middle-ear-muscle reflex: Sitting still while loud beeps are played through an earphone
  • Masked speech test: Listening to and repeating numbers played through headphones
  • Questionnaires: On hearing abilities, tinnitus, health, demographics, and impacts of COVID-19
  • Auditory brainstem response: Relaxing in a recliner with <5 sticky sensors on one's head, listening to clicks through earphones (sleeping during the test is fine)
  • Envelope-following response: Just as for the auditory brainstem response, except listening to loud beeps (and, again, sleeping is fine)

  Additional self-report data will be obtained via questionnaires and – following provision of informed consent – from medical records, to explore potential biomarkers for development of COVID-19-related hearing disorders.

• REC name

  London - Central Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  21/PR/0137

• Date of REC Opinion

  20 Apr 2021

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion