PREDICTORS OF DIZZINESS AND HEARING DISORDERS IN PEOPLE WITH LONG COVID

A. Alghwiri¹, F. Obeidat², S. Whitney³

¹Applied Science Private University, Physiotherapy, Amman, Jordan, ²University of Jordan, Hearing and Speech Scienes, Amman, Jordan, ³University of Pittsburgh, Physical Therapy, Pittsburgh, United States

Background: Individuals report persistent symptoms after becoming infected by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) that last for >4 weeks (long COVID syndrome). Dizziness and hearing loss have been reported among long COVID symptoms. However, little is known about the potential predictors of dizziness and hearing loss in individuals with long COVID.

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the presence and correlates of dizziness and hearing loss in a sample of people with long COVID syndrome.

Methods: Individuals aged 18 years and older who were infected with COVID-19 at least 8 weeks before the study were included if they were not diagnosed with dizziness or hearing loss before getting COVID-19. Demographics and COVID-19 related information were collected. Participants completed the Dizziness Handicap Inventory, Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale, Falls Efficacy Scale International, Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, and Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 12. Finally, hearing was assessed using pure tone audiometry in a subsample.

Results: Two-hundred nine individuals (66% female) with a mean (SD) age of 27 (9) participated in the study. Perceived dizziness and hearing loss were reported in 26% and 15.3% of the sample respectively. Logistic regression was conducted to identify potential predictors of dizziness and hearing loss separately. After controlling for age and severity of dizziness, female gender and high fatigue severity were associated with increased likelihood of reporting dizziness (R²= 31%). The severity of dizziness and having neurological symptoms during the acute stage of COVID-19 were associated with increased likelihood of reporting hearing loss (R²= 10.4%) after controlling for age.

Conclusions: Dizziness and hearing loss present in long COVID and can be disabling. Females with high levels of fatigue should be questioned about persistent dizziness. Hearing loss should be considered in individuals with neurological symptoms and severe dizziness as a consequence of long COIVD.

Implications: Screening for dizziness and hearing loss following COVID-19 enables health care providers to detect and remediate dizziness and hearing loss early. Early intervention of dizziness and hearing loss may have a substantial effect in reducing disability and improving quality of life for people with long COVID.

Funding acknowledgements: None.

Keywords:
Dizziness
Hearing loss
Long COVID

Topics:
COVID-19
Neurology
Critical care

Did this work require ethics approval? Yes

Institution: The University of Jordan

Committee: Institutional Review Board

Ethics number: 168/2022