Thousands of vaccine recipients have reported experiencing tinnitus, or ringing in the hearing, and researchers are investigating a possible link.
According to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention have received 16,500 reports of tinnitus following COVID-19 vaccination as of April 14.
Additionally, this condition has been reported as a symptom of long-term COVID. Hearing loss can be caused by the immune system’s inflammatory response to a disease, pharmaceuticals used to treat the disease, or cell damage, according to experts.
While the CDC has found no association between tinnitus and COVID infection or vaccination, scientists are investigating anecdotal reports.
Dr. Harlan Krumholz, director of Yale University’s Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation and a cardiologist, stated, “Tinnitus is a prominent symptom in many people with long COVID and those with vaccine-associated conditions.”
Krumholz is one of the researchers investigating tinnitus as part of the ongoing LISTEN study of long-term COVID patients and post-vaccination adverse reactions.
“We hope to bring together a large number of people with this symptom so that we can learn together what might be the cause – paving the way for evidence-based strategies to assist these individuals,” he explained.
His team is still in the midst of data analysis. Here is what we know about COVID-19 and tinnitus.
Describe tinnitus.
Tinnitus is frequently characterised as ringing in the ears, but it can also manifest as rhythmic pulsing or “phantom” sounds such as whistling, buzzing, or clicking.According to the Mayo Clinic, it can have numerous causes, including noise exposure and underlying conditions such as inner ear disorders, age-related hearing loss, circulatory disorders, and head, neck, or ear trauma.
According to the National Institutes of Health, tinnitus is fairly prevalent, affecting up to 25% of the population, and is most prevalent in older individuals.
Some instances can be severe and impede daily life. Treatment depends on the underlying cause, but no specific medication exists. Hearing loss can be treated with sound therapy and hearing aides. If the underlying cause is treated, the symptoms, which can last for months or years, can be alleviated.
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Is COVID vaccination associated with tinnitus?
Despite tinnitus complaints among vaccinated individuals, the CDC told USA TODAY that tinnitus is a prevalent condition with multiple causes.
“At this time, data from vaccine safety surveillance systems do not indicate a connection between COVID-19 vaccination and tinnitus. “As additional data are collected, the CDC will continue to monitor the safety of COVID-19 vaccines and evaluate the impact of tinnitus,” according to an agency statement.
An analysis published last year in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery examined 555 reports to the CDC of sensorineural hearing loss, or sudden hearing loss that develops within three days, after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, in addition to 21 patient cases. The team failed to identify a statistically significant correlation that would indicate a risk for the general population.
A second study published in the American Journal of Otolaryngology found proportions of patients comparable to those of the general population.
What to do if you suffer from tinnitus
If you have tinnitus and have trouble resting, experts recommend using a white noise machine or another soft sound to mask the ringing.
Loud sounds can cause hearing loss and tinnitus over time. Experts recommend wearing ear protection if you labour in an environment with loud machinery or other loud noises.
Additionally, the Mayo Clinic recommends avoiding caffeine and alcohol, which “can affect blood flow and contribute to tinnitus.”
According to Harvard Health, certain medications, such as aspirin, antibiotics, and cancer medications, can also contribute to the condition.
Make an appointment with your doctor to have your hearing evaluated.
The American Tinnitus Association can help you locate a local tinnitus support group.
