COVID-19: desordens auditivas e vestibulares no período pos infecção

Abstract

Introduction: Since 2019 when the first cases of COVID-19 appeared, many studies have been developed to prevent, identify and treat the disease. Auditory and vestibular disorders, such as hearing loss, dizziness and tinnitus, were the most prevalent disorders. The decrease in blood flow and the neurotropic influence of the SARS-CoV2 virus may justify these signs. But ototoxic medications during hospitalization and other complications can also increase the risk of auditory and vestibular damage and could be considered indirect effects of COVID-19 on the vestibulocochlear system. Objective: To analyze the evidence of disorders in the auditory and vestibular system after COVID-19 infection Methodology: The dissertation consists of two scientific articles. The first investigates the evidence of vestibulocochlear symptoms in individuals after COVID-19 through a systematic review, and the second presents a case study of a patient affected by the virus who presented symptoms of dizziness with the diagnosis being hypothyroidism after long COVID-19. Results: After three years and several studies, there is little evidence that SARS-CoV2 infection directly causes permanent damage to the auditory and vestibular systems. Despite the vast quantity, the methodological quality is low, as described in the overview presented in this dissertation. Vestibolocochlear symptoms are still frequent complaints in clinical practice, however not all of them are directly linked to permanent damage to the auditory and vestibular system, as described in the case study. Conclusion: Despite the significant number of published studies and clinical evidence, it is not possible to state that SARS CoV-2 infection causes direct damage to the auditory and vestibular system. It is recommended that auditory and vestibular disorders be investigated more broadly, and new longitudinal studies be carried out.