Objective: After reports of increased incidence of otologic manifestations after COVID-19 vaccinations, we present followup for newly symptomatic patients with longer follow-up.
Study Design: Retrospective chart review
Setting: Specialized otology ambulatory practice
Patients: All patients with available diagnostic codes, COVID-19 questionnaires and clinical follow-up of at least 30 days after initial visit Interventions: Review of clinical treatment
Results: Out of 57 patients with reported post-vaccination symptoms, 31 (14 female and 17 male) had follow-up of at least 30 days post-treatment. The mean age was 56.6±14.5 years old. 16 received Moderna and 15 received Pfizer vaccine. At initial presentation, 17 patients had underlying otologic diagnosis, with 5 having active Meniere’s disease or Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease. Initially, 24 patients (77.4%) noted hearing loss, 16 (61.3%) tinnitus, 9 (29%) dizziness, and 5(16%) vertigo. At last follow-up, symptoms resolved in 2 patients, improved in 17, worsened in 1, and no changes were noted by 11. Hearing loss (n=12) was the most commonly reported residual symptom followed by tinnitus (n=10). When available the initial and follow-up affected ear pure tone averages and word recognition scores were 49 dB/67% and 43 dB/72%, respectively. There were no abnormal retrocochlear findings on MRIs.
Conclusions: There are no definite correlations between COVID-19 vaccination and new or worsened otologic symptoms.Vaccinated patients with new or exacerbated otologic symptoms frequently improved over time. Cases of post-vaccination otologic symptoms should be reported to the CDC Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) and patients should undergo prompt otolaryngology referral.
Professional Practice Gap & Educational Need: There is no long-term follow-up regarding initial reports of hearing loss and other otologic manifestations after covid vaccination. We present our data of patients who were monitored for more than 30 days (mean 101 day follow-up).
Learning Objective: To investigate the clinical and audiologic outcomes after vaccination.
Desired Result: To educate the community on no obvious correlation between COVID-19 vaccination and otologic manifestations.