Post-COVID-19, Tinnitus & Hyperacusis Are Back In My Life After Habituation 4 Years Ago

[Roosevelt DuPree]

I am a 47-year-old guy from Georgia. I am married and have two kids. I work in the mental health field.

About 4 years ago, I experienced a sudden onset of tinnitus and hyperacusis after a round of antibiotics I was taking to treat a stomach infection. Initially, I was very distraught with the tinnitus & hyperacusis combination known well to so many members here: I couldn't sleep; I lost my appetite; I felt like I was going crazy. I tried every home remedy available, but nothing worked. I tried supplements, acupuncture, chiropractic care, cranio-sacral therapy, etc. Eventually, I met with an expensive "wholistic" physician who assured me he could cure me and treated me with homeopathics for over a year. Long story short: The hyperacusis gradually went away completely and, in time, I habituated to the high-pitched Tinnitus to such an extent that it rarely bothered me. (I don't think the homeopathy - or any of the above treatments - was very helpful, really, beyond helping me to have a sense of hope.)

Recently (about 2 weeks ago), I got COVID-19. Because I am generally healthy, 2x vaxed & boosted, I handled it pretty well. However, my tinnitus & hyperacusis are now back, and as bad as they were 4 years ago. It's so very strange to be back here, because I truly thought the nightmare was over, and I have been very grateful these past 3 years to have habituated and to have moved on from such a painful time in my life. I am doing the usual things now- masking with white noise here and there, protecting my ears from loud noises, and trying to stay positive and open to the idea of gradual recovery. It's a struggle, though. My father (a U.S. Air Force veteran in his late '70's now) also suffers from hearing loss and Tinnitus, although his is much, much worse. He rarely complains, because over the years he has taught himself to live with it. I am trying to do the same- trying to not get overwhelmed, trying to be a good husband and a good father, like my dad. But these days are hard, hard days for me. (And nights are even worse.)

I am glad to have this place as a forum.

 

[Vicki14]

I understand what you mean about thinking you'd moved on from 'the nightmare'.

I'm in a similar position too but I decided not got get vaccinated due to fear of making things worse but unfortunately they have. I'm trying to remain positive and just hope that better fats are ahead.

Did you get COVID-19 after your vaccinations?

 

[Roosevelt DuPree]

@Vicki14 - So sorry to hear that you are suffering similarly! Yes, I got COVID-19 after my vaccinations/booster (had no trouble at all with them, btw). My thinking is that my case of COVID-19 would have been much worse/rougher on me without them, but who knows? For me, COVID-19 was like a mild flu with ear/nose stuffiness, sore throat, and a lot of overall fatigue. The hyperacusis & tinnitus came on just as I was getting over COVID-19, which is weird. I'm still quite fatigued, but that may be due to general exhaustion from having a nonstop cicada party in my head for a week now LOL.

 

[Eleanor89]

@Roosevelt DuPree, I hope you feel some improvement soon.

Sending prayers.

 

[volsung37]

Life is cruel.

I had got over tinnitus for 3 and a half years. Had got through most of the pandemic without any problems.

Then felt I should take the vaccine for work reasons in November last.

A week later back to severe tinnitus, sleeplessness, depression, medication.

How quickly things can change.

Hard to accept that a vaccine that is supposed to protect you can be so destructive.

Anyway there's nothing that can be done now.

We just have to go through it and try to make our lives as meaningful as possible in the circumstances.

 

[Roosevelt DuPree]

Thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers, guys!

Evidence that COVID-19 causes spikes in tinnitus & hyperacusis for some people is beginning to pile up. It's mysterious, though, as to why. This is such a strange virus that has wide and varied effects on people's nervous systems... In general, #covidlife is stressful for folks, too, which has always been known to make tinnitus & hyperacusis worsen. So it's sometimes difficult to say how much of these insults are biological versus psychological.

It's about one week after my initial post and I am beginning to feel a little bit better. My hyperacusis has, mercifully, eased off a little. Still tender and sore, but no longer wearing earmuffs around the house. The tinnitus is still there, of course, and louder than pre-COVID-19, but much easier to "tune out" like I always have without raging hyperacusis. I have been taking Melatonin at night, and Quercetin, Turmeric, Glutathione, & B-12's during the day. I think these might be helping...

So I am thankful for this small bit of relief. And I am thankful for this forum. Like COVID-19, tinnitus & hyperacusis are inherently isolating conditions. From a mental health perspective (I am a psychotherapist and have been working in the field for around 20 years now), I can say definitely that isolation almost always makes things worse for people - their depression, their anxiety, their chronic pain - all of it. And so, once again, as we all swim in these weird waters together, my thanks to - and for - you all

Peace & blessings,
RD

 

[Lane]

Evidence that COVID-19 causes spikes in tinnitus & hyperacusis for some people is beginning to pile up. It's mysterious, though, as to why.

Hi @Roosevelt DuPree -- Congratulations on your proactive approach, and your seeming improvements after such a relatively short period of time. -- Regarding what causes spikes in tinnitus and/or hyperacusis, my understanding is the most likely culprit is the spike protein. It's the most dangerous part of the the virus, and is what the COVID-19 vaccine has the body manufacture (which doesn't make sense to me).

I've run across various information and protocols at the FLCCC website regarding treating COVID-19 and/or long haul COVID-19. One therapy that some people are apparently using with some success is supplementation with serrapeptase. My understanding is that serrapeptase has the ability to dissolve (or possibly digest) these spike proteins, and keeping them from continuing to create havoc in the body. Just thought I'd mention it, since you seem to be open to taking any supplement that might help.

I also ran across a testimonial by a man who struggled with long COVID-19 for several months. One of his worst symptoms was Orthostotic Intolerance, or Vertigo. He said after he took a single dose of Ivermectin, his vertigo disappeared within 6 hours. So it does seem possible to completely upend a lengthy COVID-19 recovery if you can find just the right thing that will work for your body. -- Best...

 

[Roosevelt DuPree]

@Lane, thanks so much for your thorough and insightful reply, as well as for the information re: the spike protein / serrapeptase!

 

[Eleanor89]

Hello @Roosevelt DuPree, I too am a psychotherapist.

Hope you're improving.

 

[Lane]

@Lane, thanks so much for your thorough and insightful reply

Hi @Roosevelt DuPree -- If you're open to reflexology, you may want to check out this post. I work on my ear reflexology points almost daily, and I think it makes a difference. It essentially send extra nerve energy to your ears, with all its attendant benefits.

 

[volsung37]

Hi @Roosevelt DuPree -- Congratulations on your proactive approach, and your seeming improvements after such a relatively short period of time. -- Regarding what causes spikes in tinnitus and/or hyperacusis, my understanding is the most likely culprit is the spike protein. It's the most dangerous part of the the virus, and is what the COVID-19 vaccine has the body manufacture (which doesn't make sense to me).

I've run across various information and protocols at the FLCCC website regarding treating COVID-19 and/or long haul COVID-19. One therapy that some people are apparently using with some success is supplementation with serrapeptase. My understanding is that serrapeptase has the ability to dissolve (or possibly digest) these spike proteins, and keeping them from continuing to create havoc in the body. Just thought I'd mention it, since you seem to be open to taking any supplement that might help.

I also ran across a testimonial by a man who struggled with long COVID-19 for several months. One of his worst symptoms was Orthostotic Intolerance, or Vertigo. He said after he took a single dose of Ivermectin, his vertigo disappeared within 6 hours. So it does seem possible to completely upend a lengthy COVID-19 recovery if you can find just the right thing that will work for your body. -- Best...

Interesting Lane. I believe my severe pulsatile tinnitus in my right ear may be caused by inflammation from the COVID-19 vaccine. Have you any info on strength or brand of Serrapeptase people were using?

 

[kingsfan]

I'm also a week or two out from recovering from COVID-19. I only had a single dose of the Pfizer vaccine back in March and, although I have asthma, had incredibly mild symptoms like yourself. My tinnitus increased along with a new sound just a couple days before receiving a negative test. My tinnitus actually felt a little bit easier to deal with while I was COVID-19-positive.

I think time is on both of our sides. It took me about 6 months for my vaccine-induced spike to subside, so I think there is reason to assume that, with time, it will return to baseline.

 

[Lane]

Have you any info on strength or brand of Serrapeptase people were using?

Hi @volsung37 -- I recall hearing about this on a COVID-19 recovery video, and when I ran it by a friend who's an acupuncturist, he said he was also using it "mop up" any spike proteins that might be left over from his COVID-19 infection. I do recall both of them said they started their protocol with a 3-day fast, which is also supposed to help the body do some post-COVID-19 cleanup. I don't know the brand or strength they were using, but I found the following on Amazon, which was by far the best deal. I've been taking 3 capsules on an empty stomach, 2x/day.

Serrapeptase 120000 SPU | 120 Capsules | Supports Sinus Health | Gluten Free Enzyme Supplement | by Carlyle

Since you suspect inflammation may be causing your pulsatile tinnitus, have you tried using cold packs on your ear? I'm also a big believer in using DMSO to help reduce inflammation. -- DMSO & Magnesium Oil for Tonic Tensor Tympani Syndrome

Regarding the 3-day fast I mentioned above, I've experimented with all kinds of fasts over many years, and there's one rule of thumb that I think would be good for people to keep in mind when beginning to eat less, or nothing at all for a short while. Essentially, the healing energy in our body goes to work in an expedited way, and the areas of our body that are ailing can become sensitive, or even a bit painful.

So if you ever do try a fast, you might experience something like that. This would be a good sign, and could give you some good insights as well, especially if you experimented with singing HU at the same time. My fasting preference these days is to buy some organic carrot juice from WalMart, and add various organic juice powders (wheatgrass, celery, beet, etc.). It's easy to not eat when doing such a juice fast, and can be easily modified to suit your situation. I believe in doing fasts where a person can do it quite comfortably, and you certainly don't want it to become unduly uncomfortable.

 

[Roosevelt DuPree]

Thanks for reading & for the posts, guys. I went to the ENT / audiologist yesterday. Nothing revelatory there: My hearing's a-ok and, as previously, the doctor had no advice for how to treat, address, or deal with tinnitus and hyperacusis. (He was a nice, eccentric guy, though- he told me all about his hot tub setup, which he was very proud of, LOL) He did make the comment that he has been seeing a fair amount of people coming to him for tinnitus spawned or worsened by COVID-19 and/or the vax. Moderna, especially.

 

[Bodycount2022]

*push*

Hey guys, how are you now with your symptoms?

I experienced exactly the same thing as the OP. 1 week after the COVID-19 symptoms I got left ear pain and then tinnitus and hyperacusis spiked a lot. Sadly I went to an ENT reflex test afterwards, which worsened it way more

My clue with COVID-19 is, that it can manifest in brain and nerve system after the acute phase and maybe destroy important nerve cells there? I also have sleep problems since then and am very afraid of simple sounds.

 

[Daniel Lion]

Hello @Lane, greetings!

I wish more people would experiment with pressure points and massage around the ears for hyperacusis and tinnitus. It helps alleviate pain.

I hope you're keeping well.

Daniel

 

[Michael1122]

I haven't had COVID-19 and I am vaxxed x 3 and didn't have a 2nd thought about my tinnitus being affected by the vaccine. Get vaccinated!

My tinnitus started March of 2020. Came out of no where and progressively got worse and drove me absolutely mad. I have it in my right ear. It sounds like popcorn popping and sometimes a cracking of a whip when it's not sounding like popcorn. Everything sets it off. My voice, a faucet running, the toilet flushing, a sound machine going. I actually thought maybe my sound machine caused the tinnitus but it's not talking. LOL!

The tinnitus was pretty constant all day, all night. It would be soft, then loud, it would be single pops or it would go up a scale and down the scale. Sometimes my ear would feel full and itchy which was quite a weird sensation.

I started on Lexapro (depression because of the pandemic and having the tinnitus) and Xanax to calm me down from the tinnitus and help me sleep! Those seemed to work and my tinnitus disappeared in December of 2020! I thought I was cured! LOL! I even made it through all of 2021 without a single peep from the tinnitus. Cut to March 2022.

Guess what came back? TINNITUS! Ugh.

Fullness in the ear, itching, popcorn popping, the whole shebang. It's been a few weeks and I can't believe I'm back here! However, learning from my past experience with tinnitus and from what my doctor told me the 1st time I was dealing with this, I do think it has to do with my depression/anxiety issues.

I'm contemplating upping my Lexapro. I don't know? In 2021 when the tinnitus disappeared I thought about weaning myself off of it!

I'll keep you posted!

 

[Miguel Q]

I have had really bad tinnitus these past few months. I am a teacher and am considering applying for a disability because I can't sleep well, have anxiety, lack concentration and am now on anti-depression meds.

Does anybody know if a disability application would be successful?

 

[Not4me]

Hi @Miguel Q, I developed tinnitus right after getting COVID-19 end of last year. I also have anxiety due to it. I was prescribed anti-anxiety meds on low dose which helps me somewhat get thru my day. I haven't worked since all these symptoms so basically haven't worked for the last 3 mos now. I applied for short term disability and got approved. I had to work with my doctor to get them to send all of medical reports to EDD. It takes time and effort to get it all started but to answer your question you may be able to file.