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Hearing Loss Strongly Associated With COVID-19, Finds Study

According to experts, there is an urgent need for a carefully conducted clinical and diagnostic study to understand the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the auditory system

Hearing Loss Strongly Associated With COVID-19, Finds Study
Highlights
  • Experts analysed 56 studies to understand the impact of COVID-19 on hearing
  • Parts of the auditory system might be affected by COVID-19: Experts
  • Experts are also exploring factors like lifestyle for hearing loss

Washington: The findings of a novel study associates hearing loss and other auditory problems with COVID-19. The findings of the study were published in the International Journal of Audiology. The research was led by the University of Manchester and NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) scientists. Professor Kevin Munro and PhD researcher Ibrahim Almufarrij found 56 studies that identified an association between COVID-19 and auditory and vestibular problems.

Also Read: COVID-19: World Leaders Call For International Treaty On Pandemics

They pooled data from 24 of the studies to estimate that the prevalence of hearing loss was 7.6 per cent, tinnitus was 14.8 per cent and vertigo was 7.2 per cent. However, the team – who followed up their review carried out a year ago – described the quality of the studies as fair.

Their data primarily used self-reported questionnaires or medical records to obtain COVID-19-related symptoms, rather than the more scientifically reliable hearing tests. The study was funded by is NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). Kevin Munro, Professor of Audiology at The University of Manchester and Manchester BRC Hearing Health Lead said,

There is an urgent need for a carefully conducted clinical and diagnostic study to understand the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the auditory system. It is also well-known that viruses such as measles, mumps and meningitis can cause hearing loss; little is understood about the auditory effects of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Though this review provides further evidence for an association, the studies we looked at were of varying quality so more work needs to be done.

Professor Munro is currently leading a year-long UK study to investigate the possible long-term impact of COVID-19 on hearing among people who have been previously treated in a hospital for the virus. His team hope to accurately estimate the number and severity of COVID-19 related hearing disorders in the UK and discover what parts of the auditory system might be affected.

Also Read: When To Take Second Dose Of The COVID-19 Vaccine, How To Register For It, Government Answers These And Other Questions

They will also explore the association between these and other factors such as lifestyle, the presence of one or more additional conditions, and critical care interventions. A recent study led by Professor Munro suggested that more than 13 per cent of patients who were discharged from a hospital reported a change in their hearing. Ibrahim Almufarrij said,

Though the evidence is of varying quality, more and more studies are being carried out so the evidence base is growing. What we really need are studies that compare COVID-19 cases with controls, such as patients admitted to hospital with other health conditions. Though caution needs to be taken, we hope this study will add to the weight of scientific evidence that there is a strong association between Covid-19 and hearing problems.

Professor Munro added that over the last few months he had received numerous emails from people who reported a change in their hearing, or tinnitus after having COVID-19.

While this is alarming, caution is required as it is unclear if changes to hearing are directly attributed to COVID-19 or to other factors, such as treatments to deliver urgent care, Munro concluded.

Also Read: Government Planning To Bring More Population Groups Under COVID-19 Vaccination Drive: Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (WaterSanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollutionwaste managementplastic banmanual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene

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