Study of the peripheral and central auditory system in individuals after COVID-19 infection

• Grant number: 21/11210-2
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: April 01, 2022 - March 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Speech Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Carla Gentile Matas
• Grantee: Carla Gentile Matas
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Alessandra Giannella Samelli
• Associated scholarship(s): 22/04877-3 - Study of the peripheral and central auditory system in individuals after COVID-19 infection, BP.TT

Abstract

Introduction: With the abrupt number of infections by COVID-19, the concern not only with the acute attacks has increased, but also with the possible sequelae left by the virus. The correlation between upper airway infections and impairment of the auditory system is widely reported in the international literature and, therefore, few studies have reported sudden hearing loss in individuals after infection by COVID-19, without previous hearing complaints. It is believed that the investigation of the peripheral and central auditory pathway in individuals after COVID-19 can be of great contribution for a greater understanding of the harmful effects of this virus, as well as for early intervention measures to be carried out. Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of the new coronavirus on hearing, through peripheral and central audiological assessment, in adult patients after proven COVID-19 infection, without previous hearing complaints and who are already out of risk for transmission and in good health. Methodology: The sample will be derived from participants already included in the project "COVID-19 predictors of diagnosis and prognosis: Assessment on admission to the emergency room at Hospital Universitário - USP", already approved at CEP HU-USP under number CAAE:33910620.0.0000.0076. Adult individuals will be evaluated after infection by COVID-19 within the inclusion criteria, through immittance testing to assess the middle ear, pure tone and vocal audiometry to investigate hearing thresholds, acuphenometry to assess tinnitus, and the Tinnitus Handicap questionnaire Inventory (THI) to assess the severity of tinnitus, and the Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential and Long Latency Auditory Evoked Potential to investigate the central auditory pathway. (AU)