A Covid-19 e suas implicações auditivas e vestibulares: revisão integrativa

Abstract

Objective: to carry out an integrative literature review on the auditory and vestibular implications due to the COVID-19 infection. Methodology: the guiding question was: "Can COVID-19 change the functions of the auditory and vestibular systems?". An integrative review study, the first stage consisting of a bibliographic survey of the literature, organization of the papers in a framework and subsequent analysis based on pre-established categories. The electronic search in the database took place through the Google Scholar, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Information Center (BIREME), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SCIELO) and Capes Portal. Results: from the 21 publications surveyed, it was possible to identify implications of COVID-19 on the auditory and vestibular systems. Among the most frequently mentioned auditory symptoms are tinnitus and vertigo. It was possible to identify sudden and sensorineural hearing loss. Conclusion: from the studies contemplated in this work, it is possible to conclude that Covid-19, a recently discovered disease, that has instigated the scientific community to unveil the behavior of the virus and its consequences in the human organism. Studies are intensifying day by day, but still with the need for the search for many answers and deepening. Direct auditory and vestibular implications can already be seen in the productions raised in infected individuals. However, there are many questions to be answered for the establishment of this association. The auditory and vestibular consequences will modify the post-infection life in a very impactful way, a fact that corroborates the need for further studies.