COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, for which thefirst cases were reported in China, by December 2019. Previous studies reported cases oftinnitus following COVID infection, most of them mild and with similar characteristics toother forms of tinnitus. Our aim is to further explore the relationship between COVID-19and tinnitus. For this purpose we analyzed people in the city of Volta Redonda, Brazilafter a COVID-19 infection. In detail we compared those with new onset tinnitus during orafter COVID-19 with those without tinnitus and those with tinnitus onset before theCOVID-19 infection. Moreover we analyzed the prevalence of post-COVID tinnitus along thepandemic timeline, from 2020 to 2024.
Two-hundred and thirty three patients over 18 years old and previously diagnosed with
COVID-19 confirmed by either a RT-PCR, antibodies or antigens test were included.
Patients were subdivided in three groups: no tinnitus (NT), tinnitus that already existed
before COVID-19 (chronic tinnitus, CT) and tinnitus that arose during or after COVID-19
(post-COVID-19 tinnitus, PCT). Data concerning COVID-19 symptoms, drugs prescribed for
COVID-19, tinnitus characteristics, comorbidities and other otological symptoms were
collected. Tinnitus assessment included pure tone audiograms, the Tinnitus Handicap
Inventory (THI), visual-analog scales (VAS) for loudness and distress as well as the
hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS). Patients with CT were additionally asked
whether their tinnitus worsened after their COVID-19 infection.
Inclusion Criteria:
- previous COVID-19 infection
Exclusion Criteria:
- < 18 yo
- not willing to give informed consent
OTOSUL, Otorrinolaringologia Sul-Fluminense
Volta Redonda 3444876, Rio de Janeiro 3451189, Brazil
Norma O Penido, MD,PhD, Study Chair
Universidade Federal de São Paulo