Pre-registered controlled comparison of auditory function reveals no difference between hospitalised adults with and without COVID-19

Abstract

Objective Several viruses are known to have a negative impact on hearing health. The global prevalence of COVID-19 means that it is crucial to understand whether and how SARS-CoV2 affects hearing. Evidence to date is mixed, with studies frequently exhibiting limitations in the methodological approaches used or the populations sampled, leading to a substantial risk of bias. This study addressed many of these limitations. Design A comprehensive battery of measures was administered, including lab-based behavioural and physiological measures, as well as self-report instruments. Performance was thoroughly assessed across the auditory system, including measures of cochlear function, neural function and auditory perception. Hypotheses and analyses were pre-registered. Study samples Participants who were hospitalised as a result of COVID-19 (n = 57) were compared with a well-matched control group (n = 40) who had also been hospitalised but had never had COVID-19. Results We find no evidence to support the hypothesis that COVID-19 is associated with deficits in auditory function on any auditory test measure. Of all the confirmatory analyses, only the self-report measure of hearing decline indicated any difference between groups. Conclusion Results do not support the hypothesis that COVID-19 infection has a significant long-term impact on the auditory system.