ENT symptoms of mask-wearing in the coronavirus disease 2019 era

Abstract

Objective Analysis of the otorhinolaryngological problems caused by mask-wearing in the coronavirus disease 2019 era. Methods A survey with 26 questions was sent by e-mail to 576 individuals. Results The most frequently worn masks were three-layer surgical ear loop masks (n = 434, 80.1 per cent), followed by N95 or filtering facepiece code 2 masks (n = 58, 10.7 per cent), and cloth masks (n = 50, 9.2 per cent). The most bothersome symptoms caused by mask-wearing were difficulty in nasal breathing (n = 227, 41.8 per cent), nasal itching and pain (n = 93, 17.2 per cent), earache (n = 88, 16.2 per cent), difficulty in expressing oneself (n = 73, 13.5 per cent), difficulty in understanding speech (n = 56, 10.3 per cent), and ear itching (n = 5, 0.9 per cent). Conclusion The problems associated with mask-wearing may result in avoidance of wearing them. Thus, there is a need for new methods that will reduce the problems related to mask-wearing, to increase their use in the community.