I'm worried the vaccine will make my tinnitus worse

[Pinkpowderpuff]

I've been struggling with sudden onset unexplained tinnitus for just over 9 months. I've so far not had the vaccine as I'm very concerned about it worsening a condition I'm already struggling daily with. I've read reports of the vacc causing or worsening tinnitus, which doesn't help. Anyway, I've plucked up the courage and am booked in for my first tomorrow. I'm absolutely petrified. Any experiences?

Interesting, because DH told me yesterday about reports of covid itself having tinnitus as a symptom. I’ve just googled a bit and found a few studies.

One “ The researchers studied more than 3,100 people from 48 countries, most from the United States and United Kingdom. They found that 40% of those who had COVID-19 symptoms experienced a worsening of their existing tinnitus. ”

www.webmd.com/lung/news/20201106/covid-may-cause-tinnitus

My DH has tinnitus and had 2 doses of AZ neither of which made it any worse.

I have had tinnitus for more than 20 years. Have had double dose of the AZ vaccine. Haven’t noticed any worsening.

I went to my GP last October about really bad tinnitus that had been gradually getting worse over a month or so which I could hear all the time. It was so distracting.

My GP asked me if I’d had Covid because an onset of tinnitus is now recognised to be a potential side effect of Covid. I told him I hadn’t had it to my knowledge but that’s not to say I hadn’t had it asymptomatically.

Anyway, I was referred to ENT for investigations.

After seeing the GP, but before my ENT appointment came through I had my first Pfizer jab and yes, it did make my tinnitus worse.

When I had my ENT appointment (about a month after my first jab) I had a hearing test which showed slightly reduced (nothing remarkable though) hearing in the ear where the tinnitus was worse. An examination of my ears also proved to be normal.

He also referred me for an MRI scan just to check there was no internal cause of the tinnitus and so I just put up with the tinnitus whilst waiting for my appointment to come through.

Whilst waiting for that MRI appointment I had my 2nd Pfizer jab and again, it made my tinnitus a little bit worse - the noises I could hear became more high pitched than they’d previously been.

I had my MRI a few weeks later and the results were normal.

That was back in April and the good news is that over the last month the tinnitus has really, really eased off to the point where I hardly notice it anymore.

I’m hoping the worsening of it was just an acute reaction to the jabs and now things are settling again.

I have had bad tinnitus on and off for years. I have had both my jabs and it definitely hasn’t made it any worse but mine were Astra Zeneca.

The tinnitus could be from covid. My cousin (age 27) lost his hearing in one ear when he had covid and also experiences tinnitus. The people fitting his hearing aids have reported a rise in sudden onset hearing loss

I've not had covid so it wasn't caused by that.

I’ve had tinnitus for 20 years, in January I flared it up badly by using noise cancelling headphones. I was worried about the vaccine exacerbating it but it was fine. There was a minor worsening in the day after my first Moderna shot but it only lasted a day or so. No impact at all after second shot despite horrible high grade fever and headache.

I think we've been on another thread before about tinnitus. Mine had a brief flare for a day, but only after the second jab and to be honest I'm not sure if it was linked as that can happen from time to time for me. I had AZ. If that's your body's response though, then it might happen again even if it didn't for the rest of us, though I wish you lots of luck that it won't. Do you have any other symptoms with the tinnitus? Have you had a thyroid blood test? Do you have anything that helps to manage the aggravation of it? (Medication or white noise or whatever).

I've had a thyroid test which was normal. Have muscle tension in jaw and congestion behind ear drum due to hay fever, both on the right side but I have noises in both ears so probably not causing it. I've finally got my ENT referral which will be 10 months to the day since it started. I'm pretty sure they aren't going to find anything substantial/treatable though and know it's just a case of learning to live with it. Still finding that a bitter pill to swallow though unfortunately. I have two DC, one at secondary school and one and primary school so I'm sure we are going to be catching covid at some point, which obviously could also make the tinnitus worse along with any other complications. I've figured the vaccine is probably the safest option even though I'm worried about it worsening the condition.

@Pinkpowderpuff

I've not had covid so it wasn't caused by that.

I meant, I’d be worried that if you get covid it will make it worse. I’d therefore be more worried about not getting the vaccine.

I've had tinnitus for several years and had 2 doses of AZ with no worsening. I would suggest you try not to 'check' if the tinnitus gets worse after your vaccine as the more you give it attention, the more you'll notice it. Easier said than done though I know! It's taken me a long time to learn to live with it, but even now writing about it on this post it's getting louder as I'm thinking about it! Hope it eases for you soon.

@Pinkpowderpuff - is the tinnitus worse with hayfever or the same? GPs can prescribe much stronger anti-histamines, sorry I don't remember if you tried that already. Presumably you had iron and B12 test?

I’m double dosed with az and have found difference whatsoever to my tinnitus (had it constantly for 2 years now)

I had never experienced tinnitus but had a bad reaction to the AZ jab in March and with 48 hours the tinnitus started. Its constant and debilitating.

Waiting for ENT referral.

I also have tinnitus, have had both doses of AZ and no change.

@MRex I don't get very bad hayfever and the tinnitus doesn't seem worse because of it. I've had iron and B12 and was told all normal. Ferritin on the low side but still within normal and I take an iron supplement once a day just to keep on top of it.

I’ve developed tinnitus with the vaccine. 4-5 months on its much better and not very noticeable anymore. Most people with tinnitus after the vaccine seem to also be reporting getting much better / resolving after 3-6 months. So even if you have the vaccine and it makes it worse it’s likely only temporary. I recommend taking antihistamines before and after your jab and maybe ibuprofen. I think with delta it’s inevitable you will catch covid at some point which may also make your tinnitus worse along with a host of other possible problems. Good luck.

I've had tinnitus for nearly 4 years now and have had both my AZ jabs. Not noticed any difference in my tinnitus. It is always worse when I am stressed. I have accepted it now and most of the time I don't even notice it.

I had both jabs and no issues. I caught covid and now I have tinnitus, had it since end of June.

I have fierce tinnitus and it’s no worth after my vaccinations.

Iv got tinnitus, caused by a non-cancerous brain tumour

Had two AZ vaccines, Didnt effect it at all