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Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) on the perception of tinnitus in the population. Methods: A web-based Google survey was performed between May and April 2020, and 1895 volunteers answered questions mainly related to demographic data, daily lifestyle during the pandemic, aural problems, and the presence of tinnitus. Participants with tinnitus were further evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS) and Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI). Results: Of 1895 participants, 184 (9.4%) had tinnitus. Of 184 participants with tinnitus, 64.7% had tinnitus onset before the pandemic, whereas 35.3% had tinnitus onset after the pandemic. There was no significant difference between the parameters of the participants who had no tinnitus and those who had tinnitus onset before and after the pandemic (p>0.05). There was no significant difference between the THI results of the participants with tinnitus onset before and after the pandemic (p>0.05). The VAS scores of the participants with tinnitus onset after the pandemic were higher than those of the participants with tinnitus onset after the pandemic (p<0.05). The participants who had a tinnitus onset before the pandemic described alterations in their tinnitus perception as increased, decreased and unchanged tinnitus perception in 28.8%, 13.4% and 57.8%, respectively. Conclusion: Because of this study, we observed that the COVID-19 pandemic did not increase tinnitus and tinnitus-related problems. However, because of the life-threatening risks that come with the pandemic, people may not consider the effects of tinnitus as a primary problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to identify the most significant issues for the effective performance management of hospitals. Methods: Accordingly, seven indicators were selected based on the literature review results. An analysis was carried out using the Spherical fuzzy TOP-DEMATEL method to determine the most important ones among these criteria. Results: The main contribution of this study was that the prior indicators of effective performance management in the hospitals were identified. With the help of this issue, hospitals can take actions to improve performance without having too much costs. Moreover, the main methodological originality of this study is that a new decision-making model is proposed by the name of TOPDEMATEL. Conclusion: Effective supply chain is found as the best factor that affects the performance of the hospitals. Additionally, advanced technology also plays a key role in this framework. Nevertheless, qualified personnel criterion is on the last rank. Supply network refers to the process of providing medical supplies, medicines, equipment, and other resources for healthcare institutions. These resources are of great importance for the performance of hospitals as they are needed to deliver the service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]