Hearing and balance problems after COVID-19 in Veterans

Epidemiology and Mechanisms of Auditory Outcomes in Veterans Following COVID-19

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · PORTLAND VA MEDICAL CENTER · NIH-11218682

This project looks at whether COVID-19 is linked to new hearing loss, tinnitus, or dizziness in Veterans and what might be causing those problems.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorPORTLAND VA MEDICAL CENTER (nih funded)
Locations1 site (PORTLAND, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11218682 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

You would be part of research focused on Veterans who developed sudden hearing loss or new tinnitus/vertigo after COVID-19. The team will review health histories, hearing test results, and treatment outcomes for affected Veterans. They will also measure COVID antibody levels and blood markers of inflammation and clotting to look for biological signs linked to hearing problems. Results will compare Veterans with and without serologic evidence of past COVID to better understand short- and long-term changes in hearing and balance.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are Veterans who had COVID-19 and then experienced new sudden hearing loss, new or worse tinnitus, or new dizziness, and who can provide medical records and blood samples.

Not a fit: People without a history of COVID-19 or without new auditory or balance symptoms, or those unwilling to provide blood samples or records, are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit directly from this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify biological markers and causes of COVID-linked ear and hearing problems and guide better diagnosis, prevention, and treatment for Veterans.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies on COVID-related hearing problems have shown mixed and sometimes conflicting findings, so this work builds on emerging but inconsistent evidence.

Where this research is happening

PORTLAND, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.