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Otologic Manifestations After COVID-19 Vaccination: The House Ear Clinic Experience
Helena Wichova1, Mia E Miller, M Jennifer Derebery
1House Clinic, Los Angeles, California.
Insights
COVID-19 vaccination is not definitively linked to new otologic symptoms like hearing loss or tinnitus. Prompt evaluation is recommended for vaccinated individuals experiencing ear-related issues post-vaccination.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Vaccinology
- Public Health
Background:
- Reports suggest potential new-onset otologic symptoms following COVID-19 vaccination.
- Understanding the relationship between vaccination and ear health is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the occurrence of otologic symptoms in patients recently vaccinated against COVID-19.
- To analyze the characteristics and timing of these symptoms in relation to vaccination.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of patients presenting with otologic symptoms post-COVID-19 vaccination.
- Data collected included patient demographics, vaccine type, symptom onset, and specific otologic complaints.
Main Results:
- Out of 1,325 visits, 30 patients (2.3%) reported new or exacerbated otologic symptoms post-COVID-19 vaccination.
- Common symptoms included hearing loss (83.3%), tinnitus (50%), dizziness (26.7%), and vertigo (16.7%).
- Symptoms appeared a mean of 10.18 days post-vaccination, with patients receiving Moderna or Pfizer vaccines.
Conclusions:
- No definitive correlation was established between COVID-19 vaccination and new or worsened otologic symptoms.
- Prompt medical evaluation is advised for vaccinated patients experiencing otologic symptoms.
- Reporting suspected post-vaccination otologic events to the CDC's VAERS is recommended.
Objective:
With the increasing numbers of COVID-19 vaccinations available there are some reports of new onset of otologic symptoms. We present our experience in recently vaccinated patients over a 30-day time frame.
Study Design:
Retrospective chart review.
Setting:
Tertiary otology ambulatory practice.
Patients:
All patients with available diagnostic codes, COVID-19 questionnaires and clinical notes.
Interventions:
Observational recordings.
Main Outcome Measures:
Within the same 30-day time period in 2019, 2020, and 2021, 1.6, 2.4, and 3.8% respectively, of all office visits were for patients with the diagnosis of new onset idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) without other underlying otologic diagnoses. In this time frame in 2021, 30 patients out of the 1,325 clinical visits had new or significantly exacerbated otologic symptoms that began shortly after COVID-19 vaccination. Specifically, 18 patients received Moderna and 12 patients received Pfizer vaccine. Their mean age was 60.9±13.8 years old; 11 were women and 19 men. The mean onset of symptoms was 10.18 ± 9 days post-vaccination. Symptoms included 25 patients (83.3%) with hearing loss, 15 (50%) with tinnitus, eight (26.7%) with dizziness, and five (16.7%) with vertigo. Eleven patients had previous otologic diagnoses, including six patients with Menière's disease, two with autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED), and three having both.
Conclusions:
There are no definite correlations to the COVID-19 pandemic or vaccination and new or worsened otologic symptoms. Vaccinated patients with new or exacerbated otologic symptoms should be promptly referred for evaluation. Suspected cases of post-vaccination otologic symptoms should be reported to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) vaccine adverse event reporting system (VAERS).
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