Tinnitus and Covid

[Gruffalo101]

I've been blighted by the dreaded virus over the last week and noticed ringing in my ears in the preceding week before this, which has persisted sometimes worse thzn others. Anyone else ?

Hoping and praying this isn't a long term side effect or established problem. Not 100 % it is covidrelated as it was there before i was symptomatic eg chills cough etc
It's obviously not the worst thing to happen to anyone with Covid, so I'm by no means the worst affected but it's not the kind of company I want to keep either.

Anyone else had experience of tinnitus with Covid? Just curious.

Yes, I had it, lasted three months. Doc told friends who had it that it would gradually get better as they recovered and as brain just zones it out eventually. That’s been true for me, took three months but wasn’t a big issue. It is a sign you’ve been affected sufficiently to need lots of rest, though, so hope you can OP. It got worse for me when I went back to work too soon.

Thanks Broadleaves, I am trying to get as much rest as possible but I have a new puppy so night time toileting is still a thing. For something so tiny he is a good wee boy at going back to sleep once he has done the needful in the cold night-time winter air. Me not so much. Was really challenging though during the first 3 days when I was totally wiped out.

Thanks for the insight re your experience with the tinnitus. Trying not to focus on it, but it seems to peak and trough in volume.

On a brighter note tonight is the first time I think I can taste a bit...not 100%;but definitely got a hint of garlic off my potatoes this evening. Which is great as my lft shines bright when I do it. I have a 94 year old mum so being very cautious.

I found listening to a brown noise/white noise app helped a bit. Also listening to the tinnitus rather than trying not to be bothered by it helped a lot, counterintuitive as it may be. Mine peaked about 2 weeks after positive test then gradually recovered. I had tinnitus before covid but this was next level awful and has since returned to pre covid levels.

I wanted to settle my puppy so played some rain noise on my google home at night. It worked a treat for him and coincidentally for me with my tinnitus.

He had lived In an outhouse with his mum and siblings before I bought him so I figured it might be a good thing to play that he would recognise from home. Can't believe it worked so well actually.

I've had tinnitus in one ear since getting Covid in 2020. It hasn't got any better although I find it easy to ignore most of the time.

I got it right after covid, so may be related. Four months on and it is getting much better. I also don’t notice it as much when it is there.

I get pulsatile tinnitus like a wooshing in my left ear. I've noticed a link to time of month and also when I get colds and viruses (like now) but it's never worsened or anything due to covid. I had it in April

I tested negative today for the first time. Still have a very high pitched barely negligible, when otherwise occupied, ringing in my ears. I'm hoping this isn't a permanent resident.

I've also experienced pulsatile tinnitus periodically over the years. Don't know what the trigger is and I'm now menopausal so not cyclical hormones, but this tends to be momentary.rather than prolonged.

Yes I've suffered with it as part of long covid since my 1st infection 16 months ago. I've tried various things to relieve it, none of which have stopped it and I tend to use it as a bit of a barometer now, if it's increasing in volume I need to take it easy before any other symptoms escalate. It's encouraging to see others in whom this has passed, and hope yours chooses not to linger.
PS Rest!!

Hi @Gruffalo101 - just wondering how you got on with this? Hope you are feeling much better now. 🤗I’m in the same position as you were, just recovering from COVID and have new ringing in ears (mainly noticeable at night). Looking for some reassure as it’s driving me mad! Thanks!

Hi MumJen88, I still have the tinnitus, but I don't focus on ut as much so while I know its there, through the day when I'm busy I don't hear it. What I have noticed is that when I'm tired or stressed it seems louder so I try as best I can to get a good night sleep. This isn't always possible but I try to stick to bed at the same time each night. Christmas socialising played havoc with it...eating later and staying up later. Overall I don't concentrate on it and as I know a few long covid people I got off light really. How is it affecting you and how long since you had covid ?