ABSTRACT
Purpose:
to present preliminary data on the influence of COVID-19 on the appearance and/or worsening of auditory and vestibular symptoms in the population of a Brazilian state.
Methods:
an observational, descriptive and quantitative approach of research, carried out from September 2020 to May 2021, in Paraíba, Northeastern Brazil. The research consisted of a self-report questionnaire on the manifestation of COVID-19, general post-infection symptoms, and audio-vestibular symptoms before and after COVID-19, posted on social media using the snowball technique.
Results:
the sample consisted of 173 people, 89% reporting symptomatic manifestations of COVID-19 with home treatment, 6.9% being asymptomatic, and 4% symptomatic with hospital treatment. A decrease in smell was reported by 126 patients, headache by 76, tinnitus by 76, and dizziness by 72, after infection by COVID-19. An increase in audio-vestibular symptoms was observed, affecting even those who did not present them before COVID.
Conclusions:
the preliminary results of the research point to a high occurrence and worsening of auditory and vestibular symptoms, following COVID-19.
Keywords:
Tinnitus; Dizziness; COVID-19; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Hearing
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Source: the authors