Tinnitus in COVID-19 Era – A Study on its Association with SARS-CoV-2 and its Outcome

Abstract

Introduction Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) virus mainly affecting the respiratory and circulatory system. In many, neuro-otological changes have been noted – tinnitus being one of the leading clinical manifestations which has skipped the limelight due to the other deadly complications of the disease. The study aims to assess the relation between COVID-19 infection and tinnitus, its relation with vaccination against COVID-19 and to assess the change in intensity of tinnitus at the end of 10 weeks after medical treatment in the patients with and without a positive COVID-19 RTPCR (Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction) report. Materials and Methods An institution based prospective comparative study was done in a tertiary hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal between July 2021 to December 2021. All patients aged between 18 and 65 years, with recent onset of subjective tinnitus since March 2020 (COVID-19 1st wave), were included in this study. Intensity of tinnitus was assessed at the end of 10 weeks after medical treatment with the help of Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI). Results Among the 84 patients with tinnitus - 20 had a history of (H/O) COVID-19 infection, 64 didn’t. Among the 20 patients who developed tinnitus post-COVID-19 infection, 2(10%) had been vaccinated while 39 out of the 64(60.9%) patients without a had been vaccinated against COVID-19 disease. At the end of 10 weeks post-treatment, 6 out of 20(30%) patients with a H/O COVID-19 showed an improvement in THI score– of them, 2 were vaccinated while 33 out of 64(51.56%) patients without a H/O COVID-19 showed improvement in THI score – of them 28 were vaccinated against COVID-19. Conclusion Our study concludes that the chances of developing tinnitus is more in those who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 and post-medication improvement of tinnitus in COVID-19 infected patients was much less than those without a history of COVID-19 infection.