Influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of tinnitus patients and resources sought during this period

• Grant number: 21/14548-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2022
• End date: December 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Speech Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Maria Fernanda Capoani Garcia Mondelli
• Grantee: Anamaria Sobrinho Ribeiro
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru (FOB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Bauru , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Tinnitus is a symptom that affects a significant portion of the world population. With a multifactorial etiology, it can trigger disorders that lead to depression, anxiety, changes in communication, cognition, social interaction, mood, and sleep health, among others, which were aggravated by the Covid-19 pandemic scenario. This study was designed to analyze the influence of the Covid-19 pandemic on the lives of patients with tinnitus and what resources were sought during this period. After complying with the ethical questions, all patients with tinnitus that was attended the hearing health service of the Speech and Hearing Clinic of the Bauru School of Dentistry, Universidade de São Paulo (USP) from October 2021 to April 2022, according to the inclusion criteria, will be evaluated by means of a questionnaire "Coping With Tinnitus During the COVID-19 Pandemic", which contains 22 questions translated into Brazilian Portuguese, consistent with the national reality. From the analysis of the information collected through the aforementioned questionnaire, data will be tabulated in an electronic spreadsheet and organized by categories, and then forwarded to statistical analysis. (AU)