Neurological findings, sensory changes in the olfactory, taste and auditory function in patients with Covid-19: a literary review

Abstract

Objective: to describe findings reported in the literature of sensory changes in auditory, olfactory and gustatory function present in patients with Covid-19. Bibliographic Review: Scientific records have shown neurological changes in patients with Covid-19. Olfactory and gustatory disorders have been prevalent among them, stating that sudden anosmia or ageusia need to be recognized by the scientific community as important symptoms for screening for infection. As for auditory function, primary symptoms such as sensorineural hearing loss, in addition to significant changes in pure high-frequency tone thresholds and amplitudes of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions were identified in patients with a positive Covid-19 test. Studies report that although audiological complications due to the new coronavirus are rarely mentioned in the literature, further studies on these possible clinical manifestations in Covid-19 are extremely relevant in order to assist in the early diagnosis of the disease. Conclusion: In view of the above, we can consider that the auditory symptoms, as well as anosmia and ageusia, may present themselves as the only manifestation of infection by the new coronavirus, and it is important to investigate these symptoms in addition to knowledge from new research on pathogenic mechanisms that lead to the involvement of these conditions.