Post-COVID-19 impairment of the senses of smell, taste, hearing, and balance
Background: Various symptoms have been associated with COVID-19, but little is known about the impacts of COVID-19 on the sensory system, risk factors, and the duration of symptoms. This study assesses olfactory, gustatory, hearing, and vestibular systems after COVID-19. Methods: This cross-sectiona...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article (Journal) |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
20 April 2022
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| In: |
Viruses
Year: 2022, Volume: 14, Issue: 5, Pages: 1-14 |
| ISSN: | 1999-4915 |
| DOI: | 10.3390/v14050849 |
| Online Access: | Verlag, kostenfrei, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.3390/v14050849 Verlag, kostenfrei, Volltext: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/14/5/849 
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| Author Notes: | Sonja Ludwig, Angela Schell, Michelle Berkemann, Frederic Jungbauer, Lena Zaubitzer, Lena Huber, Christian Warken, Valentin Held, Alexander Kusnik, Andreas Teufel, Matthias Ebert, and Nicole Rotter |
| Summary: | Background: Various symptoms have been associated with COVID-19, but little is known about the impacts of COVID-19 on the sensory system, risk factors, and the duration of symptoms. This study assesses olfactory, gustatory, hearing, and vestibular systems after COVID-19. Methods: This cross-sectional, single-center study involved 50 patients one to six months after COVID-19 and reports their patient records and the extent, onset, and duration of olfactory, gustatory, hearing, and balance disorders using questionnaires during and after COVID-19. Sensory symptoms were objectively studied using the following clinical tests after COVID-19 Sniffin’ Sticks, taste tests, tone/speech audiometry, and video head impulse test. Results: Post-COVID-19-patients were suffering from olfactory and gustatory impairment for up to six months. According to the Dizziness Handicap Inventory, balance disorders were less noticed: Overall, about 40% of the patients during COVID-19 and nearly all patients recovered within six months. After COVID-19, clinical tests revealed that 75% were suffering from hyposomnia/anosmia, and 20% of all patients reported mild hypogeusia for up to six months. Vestibular disorders and hearing impairment rarely/did not occur. Females were significantly more affected by sensory impairments than males. Conclusions: COVID-19 particularly caused olfactory and gustatory impairment; balance disorders were present too; vestibular and auditory symptoms were negligible. |
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| Item Description: | Gesehen am 08.07.2022 |
| Physical Description: | Online Resource |
| ISSN: | 1999-4915 |
| DOI: | 10.3390/v14050849 |