Research Reveals Sensory Impairments in Long COVID Patients

Ohio State study finds broad sensory dysfunctions in long COVID, linked to age, initial severity, and cognitive function

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Researchers at The Ohio State University College of Medicine conducted the first objective study measuring multisensory losses in long COVID patients. The study found that the severity and breadth of sensory dysfunctions, including smell, taste, balance, dizziness, hearing, and brain fog, are influenced by patient age, initial COVID-19 severity, and cognitive functions. Future studies are planned to further investigate the systematic impact of long COVID and understand why sensory and cognitive symptoms vary so widely, with the goal of improving patient care.

Why it matters

This research provides the first comprehensive, objective data on the wide-ranging sensory impairments experienced by long COVID patients. Understanding the factors that drive these varied symptoms is crucial for developing effective treatments and improving the quality of life for those suffering from the long-term effects of COVID-19.

The details

The study, published in the journal BMC Medicine, followed 60 long COVID patients aged 27-78 who had persistent symptoms for 4-50 months after their initial COVID-19 infection. Most had mild cases, with only 8 patients requiring hospitalization. Researchers conducted standardized assessments for smell, taste, hearing, balance, dizziness, and cognitive function. The results confirmed high rates of sensory dysfunction, including 65.5% with smell issues, 16% with taste issues, 31.6% with balance/dizziness, 53.4% with hearing problems, and 19.1% with cognitive impairment. The study found strong associations between balance/dizziness and hearing issues, as well as between brain fog, balance, and hearing problems, suggesting involvement of the central nervous system. Patients with more severe initial COVID-19 infections were more likely to experience a broader range of sensory dysfunctions.

  • The study followed long COVID patients who had COVID-19 between January 1, 2020 and December 21, 2023.
  • The study was published on March 6, 2026.

The players

Kai Zhao

PhD, professor in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at The Ohio State University College of Medicine.

The Ohio State University College of Medicine

The institution that conducted the first objective study measuring multisensory losses in long COVID patients.

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What they’re saying

“Our goal is to understand why some long COVID patients experience different profiles of sensory losses while others do not. We believe this knowledge will help us improve the care for long COVID patients.”

— Kai Zhao, PhD, professor (Mirage News)

What’s next

Future research will longitudinally follow these long COVID patients – both objectively and subjectively – to further help to answer how these symptoms may improve differentially over time, and to provide better prognosis predictions.

The takeaway

This groundbreaking research provides critical insights into the wide-ranging sensory impairments experienced by long COVID patients, highlighting the need for comprehensive, personalized care to address the complex and varied symptoms of this condition.