By Robert M. DiSogra

This article is a part of the May/June 2022, Volume 34, Number 3, Audiology Today issue. 

The following is an edited summary of an original article published on the Academy’s Coronavirus Information webpage. Until more evidence-based research is published, this summary can serve as a quick guide for audiological understanding, management, and counseling of COVID-19 survivors. The information is current as of February 21, 2022.

Shifting Terminology

There is no formal diagnostic label for a COVID-19 “long hauler”; however, several published papers have offered more than ten possible labels, including “COVID-19 syndrome” and “post-COVID-19 syndrome” (DiSogra, 2021). “Long COVID” seems to be the more popular label.

“Brain fog” is a nonmedical term that describes the symptoms comparable to mild cognitive impairment and/or an auditory processing disorder (APD) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021; DiSogra, 2022). 

Case History Considerations

A new set of questions that detail the COVID-19 experiences of the patient needs to be developed to address some of the potential issues addressed in this article. Comorbidities and prior COVID-19 medical management must be considered because they can exacerbate a preexisting condition. In addition, numerous medications used to treat COVID-19 (e.g., hydroxychloroquine) may have ototoxic effects. To obtain information on a particular drug’s side effects, the following resources are recommended: www.rxlist.com, www.drugs.com, the drug’s manufacturer, and/or the patient’s pharmacist.

The effects of COVID-19 on the central auditory system are not well understood.

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