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Provisional assignment of new diseases of uncertain etiologyOther disorders of ear
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The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been postulated to affect nerve function as some patients have had altered sense of smell and taste and there have been reports of long standing nervous system involvement. Within the Ear, Nose and Throat forums and published literature, there have been several case reports that the hearing and balance may be affected. One study has suggested that part of the hearing organ (the cochlea) is affected in patients who might subjectively be unaware of any hearing loss2. Additionally, two case reports described cases of profound sensorineural hearing loss post-COVID infection, one requiring cochlear implantation. These anecdotal evidences suggest there may be COVID-19 infections could affect the hearing and balance nerves.
The purpose of this pilot study is to determine if SARS-CoV-2 virus affects hearing, and if so, the degree and nature of it. This will help us garner an impulse if a larger study may be required to determine if positive COVID-19 patients should have their hearing tested as a matter of protocol and subsequently alert primary care practitioners as well as the ENT community about the potential for hearing loss. This will allow early recognition and prompt medical and rehabilitation treatments to be instituted in a timely manner.
The candidate predictors of hearing loss have been postulated to be age, gender, severity of symptoms of COVID-19 (requirements for oxygen or ventilation, type of medication received), presence of vestibular and other otological symptoms present before or at the time of onset of COVID-19.
Aims : To deliver a pilot, case-control study in order to explore if there is a clinical or subclinical effect on hearing in participants who have suffered symptomatic or asymptomatic COVID-19 infection, irrespective of variant, and if so, its nature and possible site of lesion
Objectives:
- to recruit COVID-19 positive and negative patients who attended the Lister audiology clinic between 1/01/19 and 31/12/19 and had a baseline hearing test;
- to perform hearing assessments on consenting individuals in order to determine any hearing loss after being tested COVID-19 positive/negative, to capture the range of audiovestibular symptoms they complain of, and to determine whether the hearing loss recovers within a 6 month time frame through 3 further testing.
Start dates may differ between countries and research sites. The research team are responsible for keeping the information up-to-date.
The recruitment start and end dates are as follows:
Observational type: Case-controlled study;
You can take part if:
You may not be able to take part if:
Exclusion criteria for COVID-19 patients (study group) • Participants who are too unwell following COVID-19 to partake in further hearing tests or investigations • Those who are unable to provide consent • Those who are unwilling to attend the hospital for audiometric investigations Exclusion Criteria for control patients • A history of typical COVID-19 symptoms in the previous 12 months • A history of a positive COVID-19 antigen or antibody test in the previous 12 months • Those who are unable to provide consent • Those who are unwilling to attend the hospital for audiometric investigations
Below are the locations for where you can take part in the trial. Please note that not all sites may be open.
The study is sponsored by EAST AND NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE NHS TRUST and funded by ENT UK .
Your feedback is important to us. It will help us improve the quality of the study information on this site. Please answer both questions.
Read full details
for Trial ID: CPMS 51690
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