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
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
Summary of results
The aims of this study were to find if COVID-19 affected peoples hearing, tinnitus or balance.
A total of 101 people took part in the study and attended the first appointment, 91 were seen in person at the test centre and 10 were seen remotely during an online interview. All 101 people either self-reported having COVID-19 or had test results that confirmed they had COVID-19. 55% of those who took part were invited by a text message from their general practice and who had confirmed positive COVID-19 test results.10% were invited from a Long-COVID clinic at Nottingham University Hospitals and the remainder were either informed of the study by friends and family or from local events and social media. 35 Men and 66 women over the age of 16 took part in study. The median age is 50 years for both Men and Women who took part. People who took part in person had a hearing test, completed questionnaires and completed a screening test to check balance. For the remote appointments, questionnaires were carried out and a short online hearing test was done.
Each person who took part in the study were asked to carry out questionnaires and a short hearing test online for 2 years, 59% of people could not be reached by the end of the study with 8% completing all 24 scheduled monthly follow up sessions and 25% completing the final scheduled follow up but had not completed all scheduled follow up sessions during the 24 months.
The results did not find evidence that COVID-19 causes long term hearing loss or balance disorders but an increase in self-reported difficulty with hearing and tinnitus after COVID-19 was found. An increase in people self-reporting new or a change to tinnitus since COVID-19 was also found, which has been reported in other COVID-19 research but the reason for why this happens is not known.
REC name
Wales REC 3
REC reference
20/WA/0341
Date of REC Opinion
15 Dec 2020
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion