Key Takeaways
Still, tinnitus reports have surfaced:
Peter Gulick, DO, professor of medicine andinfectious diseaseexpert at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, tells Verywell that the fear of experiencing tinnitus should not stop you from getting the vaccine. “After giving millions of people a [COVID-19] vaccine, tinnitus is not a red flag that popped up prompting scientists to say, ‘You know, this is kind of a big issue with COVID-19 vaccines,’” he says.
Does the Covid-19 Vaccine Cause Tinnitus?
As of November 2021, around one in 8,000 people in the United Kingdom have reported an onset of tinnitus or worsening tinnitus symptoms after receiving the Covid vaccine. This has led the British Tinnitus Association to label tinnitus as a rare occurring side effect.
While there’s not a single explanation for the small number of tinnitus cases following vaccination, Gulick says a preexisting condition or a history of tinnitus could cause theear ringingto act up.
“Tinnitus is not very common from COVID-19," he says. “But suppose somebody already has a preexisting problem in the ear. In that case, the virus—or the vaccine—can affect those little hair cells in thecochleathat are responsible for causing ear ringing or a little nerve irritation. Usually, you see tinnitus more often in somebody that’s already had the problem. It’s unlikely to start happening all of a sudden.”
Another researcher believes that in some people, a strongimmune systemresponse to the vaccine can lead toneuroinflammation. Thisinflammatory response, which may include symptoms such asfatigueand mental fogginess, is thought to worsen any existing hearing issues.
RecapWhile the connection between tinnitus and the Covid vaccine are not yet understood:The British Tinnitus Association has labeled tinnitus a rare side effect of the vaccine.Gulick notes that ear ringing may be triggered after having the virus or getting the vaccine if you have a history of tinnitus and/or a preexisting ear condition.At least one researcher believes a strong inflammatory response to the vaccine can cause existing hearing issues to worsen.
Recap
While the connection between tinnitus and the Covid vaccine are not yet understood:The British Tinnitus Association has labeled tinnitus a rare side effect of the vaccine.Gulick notes that ear ringing may be triggered after having the virus or getting the vaccine if you have a history of tinnitus and/or a preexisting ear condition.At least one researcher believes a strong inflammatory response to the vaccine can cause existing hearing issues to worsen.
While the connection between tinnitus and the Covid vaccine are not yet understood:
Worsening Tinnitus Symptoms During the Pandemic
Separate fromvaccination status, people who already have tinnitus have seen their condition worsen during the pandemic. In a sample of about 3,100 people from 48 countries, research collected in November 2020 indicated that:
Another study from August 2020 also showed that people who viewed the pandemic as stressful or nerve-wracking were more likely to report bothersome tinnitus symptoms.
New Device Helps Objectively Detect Tinnitus For First Time
What Should You Do If Your Ears Are Ringing?
If you’ve experienced tinnitus after vaccination, be sure to let your doctor know. You may also consider logging your symptoms on an app like the CDC’s V-safe, which tracks symptoms in real-time.
“Preexisting tinnitus is not a contraindication to getting the vaccine, but if you experience tinnitus after the first dose, and if it’s not going away, or it’s getting worse, then see what a doctor says before you consider your second dose,” Gulick says.
Research on tinnitus as a potential COVID-19 vaccine side effect is limited, so the best thing everyone can do is continue to report any unusual or long-lasting side effects.
“Without data, it’s hard to see if tinnitus is going to be something permanent or not because we haven’t studied it long enough to know,” Gulick says.
While there’s no official cure for tinnitus, there aretreatments availablethat can help you manage your symptoms. These may includenatural remedies,cognitive behavioral therapy, and use of medical devices likehearing aids.
Frequently Asked QuestionsCommon side effects include pain and redness where you got the injection. You may also experience a fever, nausea, and exhaustion.As of December 2021, tinnitus is not listed as a common symptom of Covid-19.Researchers have noted that the Covid-19 infection may lead to inner ear problems. In a study of 10 individuals who experienced hearing lossafter having the Covid-19 infection:The hearing loss ranged from mild to severe.Nine out of 10 people also experienced tinnitus.Six out of 10 people experiencedvertigo, or a spinning feeling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common side effects include pain and redness where you got the injection. You may also experience a fever, nausea, and exhaustion.
As of December 2021, tinnitus is not listed as a common symptom of Covid-19.
Researchers have noted that the Covid-19 infection may lead to inner ear problems. In a study of 10 individuals who experienced hearing lossafter having the Covid-19 infection:The hearing loss ranged from mild to severe.Nine out of 10 people also experienced tinnitus.Six out of 10 people experiencedvertigo, or a spinning feeling.
Researchers have noted that the Covid-19 infection may lead to inner ear problems. In a study of 10 individuals who experienced hearing lossafter having the Covid-19 infection:
The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About the vaccine adverse event reporting system (vaers).American Tinnitus Association.Causes.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Possible side effects after getting a covid-19 vaccine.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Fact sheet for healthcare providers administering vaccine (vaccination providers).British Tinnitus Association.Coronavirus vaccines and tinnitus.Drug Discovery and Development.Researcher: neuroinflammation may be behind tinnitus reports in some covid-19 vaccine recipients.Beukes EW, Baguley DM, Jacquemin L, et al.Changes in tinnitus experiences during the covid-19 pandemic.Front Public Health.2020;8:592878. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2020.592878Schlee W, Hølleland S, Bulla J, et al.The effect of environmental stressors on tinnitus: a prospective longitudinal study on the impact of the covid-19 pandemic.J Clin Med.2020;9(9):2756. doi:10.3390/jcm9092756Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.V-safe after vaccination health checker.Cleveland Clinic.Tinnitus.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of covid-19.National Institutes of Health.SARS-CoV-2 infection of the inner ear.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About the vaccine adverse event reporting system (vaers).American Tinnitus Association.Causes.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Possible side effects after getting a covid-19 vaccine.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Fact sheet for healthcare providers administering vaccine (vaccination providers).British Tinnitus Association.Coronavirus vaccines and tinnitus.Drug Discovery and Development.Researcher: neuroinflammation may be behind tinnitus reports in some covid-19 vaccine recipients.Beukes EW, Baguley DM, Jacquemin L, et al.Changes in tinnitus experiences during the covid-19 pandemic.Front Public Health.2020;8:592878. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2020.592878Schlee W, Hølleland S, Bulla J, et al.The effect of environmental stressors on tinnitus: a prospective longitudinal study on the impact of the covid-19 pandemic.J Clin Med.2020;9(9):2756. doi:10.3390/jcm9092756Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.V-safe after vaccination health checker.Cleveland Clinic.Tinnitus.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of covid-19.National Institutes of Health.SARS-CoV-2 infection of the inner ear.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About the vaccine adverse event reporting system (vaers).American Tinnitus Association.Causes.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Possible side effects after getting a covid-19 vaccine.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Fact sheet for healthcare providers administering vaccine (vaccination providers).British Tinnitus Association.Coronavirus vaccines and tinnitus.Drug Discovery and Development.Researcher: neuroinflammation may be behind tinnitus reports in some covid-19 vaccine recipients.Beukes EW, Baguley DM, Jacquemin L, et al.Changes in tinnitus experiences during the covid-19 pandemic.Front Public Health.2020;8:592878. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2020.592878Schlee W, Hølleland S, Bulla J, et al.The effect of environmental stressors on tinnitus: a prospective longitudinal study on the impact of the covid-19 pandemic.J Clin Med.2020;9(9):2756. doi:10.3390/jcm9092756Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.V-safe after vaccination health checker.Cleveland Clinic.Tinnitus.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of covid-19.National Institutes of Health.SARS-CoV-2 infection of the inner ear.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About the vaccine adverse event reporting system (vaers).
American Tinnitus Association.Causes.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Possible side effects after getting a covid-19 vaccine.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Fact sheet for healthcare providers administering vaccine (vaccination providers).
British Tinnitus Association.Coronavirus vaccines and tinnitus.
Drug Discovery and Development.Researcher: neuroinflammation may be behind tinnitus reports in some covid-19 vaccine recipients.
Beukes EW, Baguley DM, Jacquemin L, et al.Changes in tinnitus experiences during the covid-19 pandemic.Front Public Health.2020;8:592878. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2020.592878
Schlee W, Hølleland S, Bulla J, et al.The effect of environmental stressors on tinnitus: a prospective longitudinal study on the impact of the covid-19 pandemic.J Clin Med.2020;9(9):2756. doi:10.3390/jcm9092756
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.V-safe after vaccination health checker.
Cleveland Clinic.Tinnitus.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of covid-19.
National Institutes of Health.SARS-CoV-2 infection of the inner ear.
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