Abstract
Introduction
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has brought
up reports of an increase in new cases of tinnitus and changes in chronic and/or preexisting
episodes. Nevertheless, there is no established data on the characteristics of tinnitus
and its correlation with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Objective
To analyze the characteristics of tinnitus in subjects affected by COVID-19 while
detailing the correlation between these two factors.
Data Synthesis
We found 327 articles, 37 of which were selected: 11 cross-sectional studies, 4 case-control
studies, 3 cohort studies, and 19 observational studies. The sum of the samples totaled
399,524 patients included in the present review. The prevalence of new tinnitus varied
from 0.2% to 96.2%. Most articles provided incomplete information or were missing
information. Systemic arterial hypertension was the most common underlying disease.
Finally, we found a predominance of hearing loss and olfactory and taste disorders,
followed by fever and cough.
Conclusion
The prevalence of new tinnitus ranged from 0.2 to 96.2%, whereas the prevalence of
preexisting tinnitus varied from 8 to 76.2%. It was not possible to satisfactorily
assess the characteristics of tinnitus. Therefore, a direct correlation between tinnitus
and COVID-19 could not be determined, as this symptom may be influenced by other factors.
Keywords
COVID-19 - tinnitus - audiology - characteristics
Bibliographical Record
Daniella Wuttke Doutrelepont, Carolina Pereira Fernandes, Luiza Silva Vernier, Marcia
Salgado Machado. Characteristics of Tinnitus in Patients Affected by COVID-19: A Systematic
Review. Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2025; 29: s00451802968.
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1802968
