I Now Have Tinnitus After Receiving the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine

[DebGal]

Looking for some answers or just helpful suggestions. I had no reaction to first Pfizer vaccine, no immediate reaction from second dose.

However, the last six weeks have been terrible. I never had tinnitus before. But I sure have it now.

I went to an ENT, ran blood work and MRI, both were normal.

Not sure what steps to take now.

 

[Meagan G.]

Looking for some answers or just helpful suggestions. I had no reaction to first Pfizer vaccine, no immediate reaction from second dose.

However, the last six weeks have been terrible. I never had tinnitus before. But I sure have it now.

I went to an ENT, ran blood work and MRI, both were normal.

Not sure what steps to take now.

@DebGal, I first developed tinnitus in 2005 or 2006 (been so long now I can't recall which year it was) during a period of intense anxiety in my life. It was extremely dismaying at first but then I got used to it and stopped noticing it except in very quiet environments. Somewhere along the way I developed a second sound, a mild overhead buzz that was easy to ignore. Life went on and I knew the sounds were there but rarely paid attention to them.

Then 10 days after my first Pfizer shot the buzzing got worse (louder and more annoying tones) and after two months is still at the elevated level. With this recent change I am reminded of my initial state of panic at the original onset.

Please know that you will, in time, come to accept it and in doing so will help you to notice it less and less often. It is not a dangerous thing, just an unwelcome thing. Through relaxation meditation, correcting your thoughts to be neutral and not negative (i.e. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), sound therapy, and healthy self-care, you will allow yourself to co-exist with tinnitus. There will be ups and downs but over time you will get used to your new normal. It's amazing, once you get to a place of acceptance the sound bothers you less and less. One of my favorite things now is choosing a healthy, happy activity every day. Neighborhood jog, walk in the woods, visit to an antique shop—whatever floats your boat, be sure to gift yourself a little lift every day.

 

[PeteJ]

That does sound scary. I wonder what % this has happened to? If it's big enough, it has to be related. I do know I once read that 60% of first pregnancies end in miscarriage--no reason--it just happens.

I'm not sure of the %. I thought the first trimester especially has risk but my point was that it happened almost immediately after the vaccine suggesting it had a causal link and related more to the vaccines they had.

 

[CathyJ]

I'm not sure of the %. I thought the first trimester especially has risk but my point was that it happened almost immediately after the vaccine suggesting it had a causal link and related more to the vaccines they had.

I knew what the point was, but as I learned after having a car accident and 2 weeks later a miscarriage, doctors won't say it was the cause. Because 60% of first pregnancies end in miscarriage. I suppose if they were all at like 4 months or something, that would get attention. But if all were early, maybe not. I feel bad for the women because it's an emotional thing to go through. And worse for women who now have to decide to get the vaccine or not.

 

[CathyJ]

Looking for some answers or just helpful suggestions. I had no reaction to first Pfizer vaccine, no immediate reaction from second dose.

However, the last six weeks have been terrible. I never had tinnitus before. But I sure have it now.

I went to an ENT, ran blood work and MRI, both were normal.

Not sure what steps to take now.

I've had tinnitus (2 kinds) since childhood. It was always a few hours or days and then gone for weeks or months. I never figured out a trigger except super loud noises. But I had it without. One thing I learned to do was have another noise that masks it. I even sleep with a fan on. Or if traveling a white noise app on my phone. In the day time at work there is usually enough talking, machines going, etc., to keep me sane. At home I often leave a tv on or music. How to make it go away forever is the million dollar question. I don't think there is an answer for that one. Mostly I tell myself it can't kill me, and to go on and do whatever, kind of like a headache.

 

[Tinker Bell]

I'm not sure of the %. I thought the first trimester especially has risk but my point was that it happened almost immediately after the vaccine suggesting it had a causal link and related more to the vaccines they had.

Where are you finding data that miscarriages are happening often post vaccination? There are 86 reports in VAERS. That is a very small percentage of the total number of pregnant women getting vaccinated per the advice of their doctors. Pregnancy increases the risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19. Are you an OBGYN? Just wondering why this is relevant to this thread.

Looking through the reports, it's predominantly first trimester around 4-6 weeks which is sadly very common as another poster mentioned. The losses are not always happening immediately in conjunction with vaccination either. Are you very knowledgeable about first trimester loss? Unfortunately I am, and so are many other women.

 

[Sara May]

Looking for some answers or just helpful suggestions. I had no reaction to first Pfizer vaccine, no immediate reaction from second dose.

However, the last six weeks have been terrible. I never had tinnitus before. But I sure have it now.

I went to an ENT, ran blood work and MRI, both were normal.

Not sure what steps to take now

@DebGal, the bloodwork your ENT doctor ran, did it include the "Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) Antibody" blood test? And if so, what was your result for this?

 

[Robster]

I'm still in the early stages of tinnitus & hyperacusis (since January). Before this happened to me, I would have been ecstatic to get vaccinated. My tinnitus has been all over the place the last couple of weeks so I have decided to wait for it to hopefully settle down a bit before getting vaccinated.

 

[kingsfan]

I still have my 2nd dose vaccine appointment scheduled for tomorrow. I'm about to just go and get. I'm miserable already, so why not?

 

[2020 Survivor]

I would love to know what percentage of post-vaccine tinnitus sufferers are female? I have a history of migraine and I'm starting to wonder if it's related?

Also, I was told acupuncture/acupressure helps. There are some good resources online with key pressure points.

I'm due for my second dose on Thursday. I've been on the fence too, but I think I'm going to take the plunge - if for no other reason than to be a statistical data point for others

 

[Chris S.]

Did you also have dizziness?

No, no dizziness. Some fever, fatigue, and chills for about 24 hours after the second shot, but no dizziness.

 

[CathyJ]

I would love to know what percentage of post-vaccine tinnitus sufferers are female? I have a history of migraine and I'm starting to wonder if it's related?

Also, I was told acupuncture/acupressure helps. There are some good resources online with key pressure points.

I'm due for my second dose on Thursday. I've been on the fence too, but I think I'm going to take the plunge - if for no other reason than to be a statistical data point for others

Well I am female and don't have migraines, but I did in my teens and 20's. However an ENT determined I was allergic to "one of the chemicals" in cigarette smoke and said mine were allergy triggered. I grew up in a smoking household. I did smoke in teens to about age 25 and quit. I've not had a migraine since.

I have read that quite a few drugs (prescription type) can be related to tinnitus. I took one of those for years for blood pressure until last month. I also started avoiding Aspirin at around age 19 after noticing it caused tinnitus. Maybe check out any meds you take fairly regularly and see if there is data about them being associated with tinnitus.

 

[Wrfortiscue]

Have had small tinnitus for 15+ years and I had no problems masking it or sleeping. Got the JnJ shot April 7 and woke up April 24 with loud ear ringing. I can no longer mask it and every time I nod off to sleep it immediately wakes me up within 1-2 hours. Panic and anxiety skyrocketed because I'm thinking suicide.

This sucks and I hope it goes away soon. I'm not even eating much now

 

[jimH]

@Wrfortiscue

Because you just joined the forum today you may not be aware yet of just how much stress and anxiety can cause, exacerbate and even prolong a spike. If you're not familiar yet with the term "spike," it's a temporary increase in the severity of tinnitus.

More than likely that's what you're experiencing right now. Try not to think that it's a permanent increase because it more than likely isn't. You don't want to make yourself worry more by thinking that it's permanent. I've had tinnitus for more than 35 years now and have been though many spikes. They all eventually passed.

If you enter the word "stress" in the forum's search engine, you'll see that there are many pages of posts about it.

Hang in there. You'll be okay!...

 

[Wrfortiscue]

@jimH

how do I know it's not from the vaccination? Never had this before for over 15 years. I can't even sleep because the noise screams to wake me up. During the day it's not as bad though. Doctor said it's likely fluid and one of my ears was red and irritated, even though it's the other side. He prescribed some allergy meds and ear drops for itchcing. I'm gonna get NAC, melatonin and tumeric to see if it helps. Thanks

 

[Wrfortiscue]

The ear drops and allergy pills are apparently ototoxic should I still take them?

claritin D
Neomycin-polymyxin-hydrocortisone

 

[jimH]

@jimH
how do I know it's not from the vaccination?

Unfortunately, I don't know of a way for you to absolutely determine whether or not your spike was caused by the vaccine. You can do some searches on the internet to see if there are any reports of the J&J vax regarding Tinnitus.

The ear drops and allergy pills are apparently ototoxic should I still take them?

claritin D
Neomycin-polymyxin-hydrocortisone

I personally would never advise anyone with Tinnitus to take something that has been proven to be ototoxic. Additionally, I'm not qualified to tell you to disregard what your doctor prescribed. Perhaps there are other forum members that have experience with them and will chime in soon with regard to their experience with them.

 

[Tinker Bell]

The ear drops and allergy pills are apparently ototoxic should I still take them?

claritin D
Neomycin-polymyxin-hydrocortisone

Claritin is ototoxic? According to whom? I've taken it for years without issue, but not with the decongestant component.

I know a lot of people try to avoid -mycin medications. I will never understand why ENTs prescribe medications considered ototoxic to people with hearing problems.

 

[Wrfortiscue]

Claritin is ototoxic? According to whom? I've taken it for years without issue, but not with the decongestant component.

I know a lot of people try to avoid -mycin medications. I will never understand why ENTs prescribe medications considered ototoxic to people with hearing problems.

Thanks... my wife wants me to take the ear drops but I'm scared lol

 

[PeteJ]

I knew what the point was, but as I learned after having a car accident and 2 weeks later a miscarriage, doctors won't say it was the cause. Because 60% of first pregnancies end in miscarriage. I suppose if they were all at like 4 months or something, that would get attention. But if all were early, maybe not. I feel bad for the women because it's an emotional thing to go through. And worse for women who now have to decide to get the vaccine or not.

Why get an experimental vaccine when you are already vulnerable?

I don't perceive any logical justification whatsoever to do it.

Even if you are the most paranoid COVID-19 alarmist ever, voluntarily taking an experimental vaccine that may do who knows what to you makes no sense.

Thanks... my wife wants me to take the ear drops but I'm scared lol

Why do you need ear drops?

I didn't take ear drops from drs. All of them are on ototoxic lists AFAIK.

I dunno if they are safe or not. So, I purchased natural ear drops. Try a Google search. Also, you could call your local Naturopath. They are also on sites like Amazon.

If you are interested, I could suggest some but you should be able to find some. At the very least, I felt better about taking such drops.

 

[Wrfortiscue]

Why get an experimental vaccine when you are already vulnerable?

I don't perceive any logical justification whatsoever to do it.

Even if you are the most paranoid COVID-19 alarmist ever, voluntarily taking an experimental vaccine that may do who knows what to you makes no sense.

Why do you need ear drops?

I didn't take ear drops from drs. All of them are on ototoxic lists AFAIK.

I dunno if they are safe or not. So, I purchased natural ear drops. Try a Google search. Also, you could call your local Naturopath. They are also on sites like Amazon.

If you are interested, I could suggest some but you should be able to find some. At the very least, I felt better about taking such drops.

Sure, if you don't mind, can you recommend some for ear drum redness?

 

[Tinker Bell]

Why get an experimental vaccine when you are already vulnerable?

I don't perceive any logical justification whatsoever to do it.

Even if you are the most paranoid COVID-19 alarmist ever, voluntarily taking an experimental vaccine that may do who knows what to you makes no sense.

Why do you need ear drops?

I didn't take ear drops from drs. All of them are on ototoxic lists AFAIK.

I dunno if they are safe or not. So, I purchased natural ear drops. Try a Google search. Also, you could call your local Naturopath. They are also on sites like Amazon.

If you are interested, I could suggest some but you should be able to find some. At the very least, I felt better about taking such drops.

Are the natural ear drops FDA authorized and clinically tested? I'm curious if natural medications sold on Amazon have set manufacturing standards, too. Would they be the same quality as ones sold in a health food store, or does that vary by brand?

 

[Wrfortiscue]

Are the natural ear drops FDA authorized and clinically tested? I'm curious if natural medications sold on Amazon have set manufacturing standards, too. Would they be the same quality as ones sold in a health food store, or does that vary by brand?

Do you know of any natural ear drops to help with fluid build up?

 

[Tinker Bell]

Do you know of any natural ear drops to help with fluid build up?

No, sorry. Is the fluid behind your eardrum?

 

[Wrfortiscue]

No, sorry. Is the fluid behind your eardrum?

Not sure... The doctor just looked at my ear and said there was probably fluid. They moved my ear that was red and inflamed around and said there was likely no middle ear infection as I felt no pain and then he prescribed those Neomycin ear drops.

 

[Tinker Bell]

Not sure... The doctor just looked at my ear and said there was probably fluid. They moved my ear that was red and inflamed around and said there was likely no middle ear infection as I felt no pain and then he prescribed those Neomycin ear drops.

Did you see an ENT or a general doctor? Do you have hearing loss? I know this is rough, but if I were you, I'd probably try to get a second opinion from a medical professional on whether the ear drops are necessary.

I'm not sure about Claritin-D, but I think others like me use Claritin without problems. Flonase can be helpful sometimes, too. You mentioned trouble sleeping, Melatonin might be helpful. Maybe sleep with a sound machine or quality speaker softly playing whatever sound works well for you.

 

[PeteJ]

Sure, if you don't mind, can you recommend some for ear drum redness?

I used this when my ears had numerous daily issues including pain, symptoms similar to an ear infection, "creaking" sensations and more. It was bad enough having VERY LOUD tinnitus but the ear issues were a nightmare.

I bought the ear oil locally. I still have it and use it on occasion but not recently. I still get ear pain particularly from noise but loud tinnitus is the primary problem now.

The oil is particularly good for ear aches but one reviewer claimed it cleared up fluid in the ear.

https://www.healthyplanetcanada.com/st-francis-ear-oil-30ml.html

BTW, my ear(s) were a bit red too. Are you wearing ear plugs a lot?

 

[Ken219]

I've had tinnitus for more than 35 years now and have been though many spikes. They all eventually passed.

How long do your spikes last until you feel better? Mine is usually 12-18 months.

 

[Wrfortiscue]

Are you wearing ear plugs a lot?

I don't wear earplugs yet but my ears are always itchy. I had a problem shoving in q-tips and scratching my ears.

 

[jimH]

How long do your spikes last until you feel better? Mine is usually 12-18 months.

If they are just random spikes with no apparent cause they usually last only a few days. The longest and most severe spike I ever had was caused by two prolonged simultaneous very stressful situations. It lasted a little over four months. I think the anxiety and fear that it would become a permanent increase in my Tinnitus made it last longer than it would have. Additionally, I experienced hyperacusis for the first time with that spike. I finally experienced and understood what they mean when they say at a "catastrophic or debilitating" level.

If you experience spikes at that level for 12-18 months you definitely have my sympathy.