Self-Assessment of Hearing Using a Mobile App Among Covid-19 Patients

Abstract

Introduction:The effect of SARS-CoV-2 on hearing has not been thoroughly examined. Factors limiting hearing tests in COVID-19 patients are hygiene requirements and the need to use specialized equipment. The objective of the study was to assess changes in hearing thresholds between diagnosis of COVID-19 and convalescence using a mobile app. Material and methods:Patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms, who were isolating at home were enrolled in the study between 1 September 2020 and 31 January 2021. Subjects answered an online medical survey and self-assessed hearing thresholds using the Hearing Test TM mobile app (e-audiologia.pl). These procedures were done twice, once at the time of diagnosis and again 2 weeks after convalescence.Results: A total of 67 subjects were found eligible for the study. At most frequencies the patients' hearing did not differ between the first and second examinations; however, for 4 kHz, a statistically significant improvement in the hearing threshold was found (p = 0.05). Survey review revealed noticeable improvement (p = 0.001) over time in smell, taste, and nasal congestion. Conclusions:It seems that SARS-CoV-2 infection caused a transient and selective (at 4 kHz) hearing impairment in patients who had had mild to moderate infection. The results suggest that as olfactory function returns after COVID-19, an improvement in hearing can be expected. Solutions based on mobile technology are useful for monitoring the hearing of patients in a pandemic.

The Hearing Test App for Android Devices: Distinctive Features of Pure-Tone Audiometry Performed on Mobile Devices

“…Mobile devices can be used for self-monitoring of hearing in various conditions, including Meniere’s disease, sudden sensorineural hearing loss, fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, as well as for hearing screening of oneself or other household members, hearing monitoring as part of a telemedicine consultation, or for online hearing aid retailing. 11 , 12 , 26 , 42 , 47 Mobile audiometry can be useful in settings with limited access to professional equipment, for preliminary assessment before visiting a physician, screening tests at schools or workplaces, hearing tests at speech-language pathologists, when qualifying for or undergoing therapy for auditory processing disorders using Neuroflow, Johanasen, Tomatis, and other similar methods. 2 , 4 , 8 , 13 Mobile audiometry may be also beneficial in other situations where the purchase of a clinical audiometer is not economically viable and the accuracy offered by mobile audiometry is sufficient.…”

“…Specialized audiometers are no longer the only option, as common mobile devices can now be employed for the screening of hearing ability. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] The same is true for personal computers. [15][16][17] Self-administered hearing tests at home, tests in general practitioners' offices, speech-language pathology clinics, neurosensory therapy centers or other facilities, especially in underserved areas, serve as a valuable adjunct to specialized audiological testing.…”