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

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 perfo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences 2022-03, Vol.49 (2), p.184-195
Main Authors: Jafari, Zahra, Kolb, Bryan E., Mohajerani, Majid H.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Case reports
COVID-19
COVID-19 - complications
Cross-Sectional Studies
Dizziness - epidemiology
Dizziness - etiology
Editorials
Enzymes
Epidemics
Hearing loss
Hearing Loss - complications
Humans
Influenza
Meta-analysis
Original
Original Article
Pandemics
Prospective Studies
Respiratory diseases
Retrospective Studies
SARS-CoV-2
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Systematic review
Tinnitus
Tinnitus - epidemiology
Tinnitus - etiology
Vertigo
Vertigo - diagnosis
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Summary: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. 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.' 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). 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.
ISSN:0317-1671
2057-0155
DOI:10.1017/cjn.2021.63