COVID-19 has changed people’s lives in more ways than one. While most recover from the virus without any lasting effects, others have experienced severe symptoms. Some COVID-19 patients have even discovered a link between tinnitus and COVID.
Contracting tinnitus after COVID can be unnerving and raise concerns regarding hearing loss. The persisting ringing, chirping, and clicking sounds can drastically reduce your quality of life. However, the issue with tinnitus is there is no comprehensive cure.
Let’s discuss COVID-19 and tinnitus to determine whether COVID sufferers are at risk of experiencing the condition, and what you should do if you are suffering from any of the following tinnitus symptoms.
Tinnitus is characterised by persistent ringing, chirping, or clicking sounds in the ear. By itself, the condition is not a medical problem but a symptom of one. According to the British Tinnitus Association, roughly 7.1 million people in the UK live with tinnitus, which is much higher than previously thought. Thankfully, most people’s tinnitus is temporary and will disappear in time.
The most common reason people experience tinnitus is prolonged exposure to loud noises. Construction workers, musicians, and factory workers are all examples of industries with higher-than-average rates of tinnitus. It can also arise from infections of the inner ear and trauma.
Most people with ringing ears will find the condition disappears on its own, but some experience chronic tinnitus. There is no cure, but there are ways to lessen symptoms. Sound therapy, in particular, is often used by audiologists to support sufferers of chronic tinnitus.
Approximately 15% of patients who have recovered from COVID-19 reported experiencing some symptoms of tinnitus. However, the authors of this particular review admit that this may be an overestimation. So, where does this leave us with tinnitus and COVID?
Unfortunately, the fact that COVID-19 has only existed for two years means there are many things scientists have yet to understand about the nature of the virus and its long-term effects. What is known is that the virus does impact other organs and parts of the body beyond the respiratory system.
Facts like that lend credence to the fact someone’s ears ringing and COVID can be linked. Any respiratory virus will put pressure on the ears, which is especially true with virus variants like Delta.
Tinnitus has so many causes that it is impossible to say whether the condition signals that COVID has infected you. Even today, reports are rare of COVID sufferers experiencing tinnitus. For now, it would be improper to say comprehensively that tinnitus would lead to sufferers returning a positive COVID-19 test.
While it is plausible that COVID and tinnitus are linked, there is no reliable, hard evidence that confirms one is caused by the other. The fact is no literature exists that links COVID-19 and hearing problems, let alone tinnitus.
At the end of 2020, another systematic review examined the link between tinnitus, COVID-19, and hearing loss. Within the study, up to 14.8% of people reported tinnitus, 7.6% experienced hearing loss, and 7.2% said they recorded symptoms of vertigo.
The flaw in these systematic reviews is the lack of a control group, which instantly undermines the quality of these studies. The true prevalence of inner ear problems could be much higher or lower.
However, researchers have seen enough of a link to continue reviewing the connection between ears ringing and COVID. Through official research and plenty of anecdotal evidence, scientists have confirmed that there is a strong correlation between ringing ears and COVID.
More recent studies appear to further back up COVID and ringing in the ears. The New York Times highlighted two studies that provide more insights into the mystery between the two. Let’s look at both in-depth.
Co-author and professor of audiology from the University of Manchester, Kevin Munro, discussed this study. Approximately 60 patients with COVID-19 were included, and 15% of them reported experiencing tinnitus.
Professor Munro said he received almost 100 emails after the study’s publication from people who said they had also experienced tinnitus after recovering from COVID.
Munro highlighted the fact that viruses can cause hearing problems. Meningitis, measles, and mumps are all known to cause hearing problems, including outright hearing loss. Coronaviruses can damage the nerves that connect the brain to the rest of the body.
While the Frontiers in Public Health Journal’s study was published back in 2020, it remains one of the most extensive studies into long COVID and tinnitus.
In the study of 3,100 people who already had tinnitus, 237 people tested positive. 40% of people who tested positive said their symptoms worsened when they contracted the virus. It’s well-known that tinnitus symptoms can worsen with stress, so the presence of the virus could well have triggered higher stress levels and led to worsening tinnitus.
Again, the study only indicates a link. It does not comprehensively prove causation. More research is required to establish the link between tinnitus and COVID.
Tinnitus varies wildly in severity. Some people experience mild tinnitus that they can easily ignore. Others experience loud sounds in their ears which can disrupt their daily life.
Temporary tinnitus may not be an issue. It is not uncommon for tinnitus to last for a few weeks and then disappear on its own. When it becomes chronic or starts to impact your daily life, it is time to see your doctor.
Your doctor may refer you to an audiologist for a comprehensive hearing test. Remember, tinnitus could be a sign that your hearing has been irreparably damaged. In this case, you may want to look into a hearing aid.
Noise exposure is by far the most common cause of tinnitus, and you may not realise that your hearing capacity has declined. Only a hearing test will tell you if your tinnitus is a symptom of trauma-induced hearing loss.
Sometimes the examination of your ear may indicate a simple build-up of earwax. Many people have been surprised to learn that earwax removal has resolved both their hearing loss and tinnitus. This underlines the importance of regular ear checks.
Tinnitus is a complex condition to treat because there are multiple causes and severity levels. As of this writing, there are no medications that can eliminate the problem.
However, there are ways to reduce the severity of the noises. For example, many modern hearing aids contain tinnitus masking features. Tinnitus masking uses sound therapy to counteract the chirping, buzzing, clicking, and ringing sounds associated with the condition.
If you do not require a hearing aid, your audiologist may recommend sound therapy sessions. Over time, you will be gradually exposed to different sounds to mask the problem and make it easier to function throughout the day.
There are ways to prevent tinnitus. Every day changes can make all the difference. Here are some top tips for eliminating tinnitus.
Lower the volume on your electronic devices. Listening to audio at loud volumes for prolonged periods risks destroying the sensitive cells inside your ears.
Wear ear defenders when in loud environments. If you work in a noisy industry, ensure that your employer provides appropriate protection. They may be required to by law.
Give your ears a rest. People place much of the emphasis on volume alone, but the length of exposure matters just as much. Spend some time in a quiet environment to help your ears recover.
Practice good hygiene measures. Ear infections can lead to tinnitus via bacterial outbreaks. Clean your ears regularly and ensure they are dried after being exposed to water. Visiting your doctor for regular cleanings can help keep your ears clean.
Schedule regular hearing examinations. Most hearing problems display early warning signs. Unfortunately, the average person has trouble spotting the early signs of hearing loss. A comprehensive hearing test once or twice per year can provide you with tips and recommendations for preserving your hearing.
Tinnitus is one of the most apparent signs of a hearing problem. Never allow tinnitus symptoms to go unchecked. If you experience hearing problems, it is time to schedule an appointment with your nearest audiologist.
Tinnitus and COVID have strong links, but not enough research has been conducted to prove that COVID causes tinnitus. Either way, it is essential to be aware of any decline in your hearing.
Until the scientific community proves the risks associated with COVID-19 and hearing loss, take care to protect yourself and your hearing. If you have experienced new tinnitus symptoms or a noticeable decline in your hearing capacity, seek professional help.
Let EarPros take care of your hearing for free and find the best hearing aids for your needs. Contact EarPros to schedule your hearing exam with a licensed audiologist in your local area and begin your journey to better hearing.
