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The effects of coronavirus disease 2019 diagnosis and national lockdown on hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo and migraine: the outcome of a prospective cohort study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 October 2024

John Phillips*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Norwich, UK Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
Louisa Murdin
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
Kelly Grant
Affiliation:
Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
Lee Shepstone
Affiliation:
Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
Mizanur Khondoker
Affiliation:
Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
Erika Sims
Affiliation:
Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
Peter Rea
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
Jonny Harcourt
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
*
Corresponding author: John Phillips; Email: [email protected]

Abstract

Objectives

To identify changes in hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, and migraine in individuals with Ménière’s disease diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 and during the UK national lockdown.

Method

Patients were questioned regarding coronavirus disease 2019 status and how their symptoms of hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, and migraine changed because of the pandemic. Of the 411 participants recruited into this study, 382 had a self-reported coronavirus disease 2019 status.

Results

Of those individuals with a positive coronavirus disease 2019 diagnosis, 43 (11.3 per cent) were more likely to experience worsening symptoms of hearing loss and tinnitus. Worsening symptoms of hearing loss and tinnitus, but improved symptoms related to vertigo, were observed during the UK national lockdown.

Conclusion

A diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 and/or experiencing the consequences of a national lockdown potentially resulted in a worsening of hearing loss and tinnitus symptoms. Symptoms of vertigo were found to have improved during the same period.

Type
Main Article
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED.

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Footnotes

John Phillips takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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