Tinnitus: A morbid clinical entity in COVID-19 patient

Abstract

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is a highly infectious respiratory disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), which result in plethora of health implications. The COVID-19 epidemic has impacted the lives of millions of people worldwide, wreaking havoc on health-care delivery, economic activity, and social connection. Although the majority of COVID-19 patients have respiratory symptoms, some experience neurological manifestations. The impact of the SARS-CoV-2 infection on the cochlea is a novel presentation which is not explored to date. Because of the risk of COVID-19 infection spreading from person to person, the majority of countries implemented social distancing and suggested people for home isolation. Social distancing and stay home protocol inducing stress and depression because of social isolation. Tinnitus has been documented in COVID-19 infection. However, tinnitus is not properly investigated in COVID-19 patients. Viral infections usually cause intracochlear damage and result in auditory dysfunction. Presently, there is little evidence for the direct relation of novel coronavirus and tinnitus. Tinnitus and hearing loss are important inner ear manifestations are reported in different literature which is considered morbid clinical entity in the present COVID-19 pandemic. This review article discusses details of this epidemiology, etiopathology, assessment, and management of tinnitus among patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.