![]() Musiek et al 19 described HHL as difficulty understanding speech in noise despite normal audiograms. 17 Details about OAD can be found in Saunders et al. The term was coined in 1989, more than 30 years before the pandemic. An OAD is a clinical presentation whereby the patient experiences difficulty understanding speech in the presence of background noise when there is no measurable hearing loss or other obvious cause. It should be noted that similar behaviors of any comorbidities must be considered (eg, Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder). 15 It may be exacerbated in unfavorable acoustic environments, and is therefore often associated with difficulties in listening, speech understanding, language development, and learning. (C)APD can be defined as a deficit in the auditory areas of the brain resulting in the disruption of processing information specific to the auditory modality. 14)ġ) Central Auditory Processing Disorder (also referred to as an Auditory Processing Disorder). (Note that #2 and #3 below refer to hearing/speech recognition difficulties in the presence of a normal pure-tone audiogram. Several definitions appear in the professional literature that allude to BF. A “catch-all” code (R41.9) could be used in relation to BF (ie, “Unspecified symptoms and signs involving cognitive functions and awareness”). 10 In reviewing the literature that describes the symptoms associated with BF/MCI, it becomes clear that these reported behaviors are not unique because they also appear under other diagnostic labels (see Definitions).īF is a non-medical term, so there is no direct ICD-10-CM code for it. 5 A closer look at the reported BF symptoms reveals that many of these symptoms may be associated with another medically recognized diagnosis: a (central) auditory processing disorder or (C)APD. MCI symptoms include (but are not limited to) confusion, increased memory problems, lack of mental clarity, poor concentration, and an inability to stay focused. 8īF began being used interchangeably with MCI. 7 Also, the term “clouding of consciousness” was a pre-pandemic term used describe similar symptoms or behaviors. Brain Fog: What We KnowĪ search of the PubMed database (National Library of Science, 2021) identified the first use of the term “fog” in 2006 when researchers were referencing chemotherapy drug side effects (ie, confusion, memory impairment, etc). It is only when an audiologist conducts a comprehensive evaluation of the peripheral auditory system that a more specific diagnosis can be reached. Interestingly, persons with hearing loss usually have the same auditory behaviors and communication complaints that are listed in Table 1a (see also Definitions). The Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM) published a survey of over 1,500 COVID-19 survivors, 6 and the authors identified 50 symptoms that included: #1 fatigue (n = 1,567), #4 difficulty concentrating or focusing (n = 924), and #9 memory problems (n = 714). ![]() However, as time went on, this sub-group of survivors (long-haulers) continued to have serious medical issues related to the virus well beyond 2 months. 2,5 However, another term started to appear in professional literature and on social media that described the symptoms of MCI as “brain fog” (BF).īecause this pandemic was like no other that we have seen in over a century, the after-effects of the virus were initially thought to be short term (2-6 weeks), like most other viruses. Individuals with these persistent symptoms have been labeled “long-haulers” in the press and social media, most often exhibiting symptoms of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). They also can reoccur at any time with no warning. 1-3 These side effects include (but are not limited to) fatigue, mild cognitive issues, and low tolerance to mental activity. ![]() Many people have struggled with the aftereffects of COVID-19 for more than 3 weeks or longer after diagnosis. This article reviews the research on this subject and provides recommendations. When a COVID-19 survivor reports that they have been diagnosed with brain fog or mild cognitive impairment (BF/MCI), or these terms appear in a medical report, hearing care professionals should be aware that many of the BF/MCI symptoms are very similar to those seen in patients with (central) auditory processing disorder. Patient Care | March 2022 Hearing Review Evidence points to intriguing similarities and shrinkage of brain regions related to hearing
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