Tested Positive for COVID-19 — Tinnitus Spike

[Nick116]

Hi all,

I noticed that my tinnitus spiked from a steady 4/10 to maybe 7-8/10 last weekend. It's been like it all week. I'm double jabbed and have just tested positive for COVID-19 with mild cold like symptoms. I can taste but not smell.

I've searched for forums and can find a lot of information about spikes and new cases of tinnitus from the COVID-19 vaccines but not so much from the virus itself. Ive also looked on Google and there's lots of articles mentioning COVID-19 exacerbates tinnitus but not so much about the recovery.

What are your personal experiences? Has anyone on here experienced a spike in their tinnitus from COVID-19 and did it go down and over what period?

 

[Brian P]

Hi all,

I noticed that my tinnitus spiked from a steady 4/10 to maybe 7-8/10 last weekend. It's been like it all week. I'm double jabbed and have just tested positive for COVID-19 with mild cold like symptoms. I can taste but not smell.

I've searched for forums and can find a lot of information about spikes and new cases of tinnitus from the COVID-19 vaccines but not so much from the virus itself. Ive also looked on Google and there's lots of articles mentioning COVID-19 exacerbates tinnitus but not so much about the recovery.

What are your personal experiences? Has anyone on here experienced a spike in their tinnitus from COVID-19 and did it go down and over what period?

How long did it take for your vaccine spike to settle down?

 

[Nick116]

That's a fair point, it took around 2 weeks to settle back down. Maybe I can expect the same from this experience.

 

[Forever hopeful]

That's a fair point, it took around 2 weeks to settle back down. Maybe I can expect the same from this experience.

Get your hearing checked as soon as possible. The latest research is about 6-7% of people who get COVID-19 end up with hearing loss and tinnitus. Your tinnitus worsening could be from some hearing loss. I would get in to get your ears checked while there still might be time to treat it. Once you rule that out, perhaps it is a spike due to congestion.

 

[Ken219]

@Nick116, please keep us informed. Praying for you.

 

[Nick116]

I will do and thanks for your kind messages and post likes.

 

[Clerkp]

I will do and thanks for your kind messages and post likes.

Good luck. I'm triple vaxxed. COVID-19 and the vaccines are shaping up to be a real nightmare for those of us with tinnitus. Gotta figure we're gonna be exposed to both regularly forever. Ugh.

 

[Nick116]

I think so too. It's highly likely we'll all catch COVID-19 sometime or another and eventually it'll become like the seasonal flu. Not great.

 

[jjflyman]

My tinnitus spiked about 10 days after my Pfizer #1 and it lasted about 2 weeks. After Pfizer #2 I had no spike.

I saw a news report of some people's tinnitus spiking after being vaxed but almost always fades within 6 months.

I would think that any spike from having the actual COVID-19 virus would also fade in time.

 

[Óscar PP]

COVID-19 gave me tinnitus a year ago. Still ringing like the first day.

 

[Wrfortiscue]

COVID-19 gave me tinnitus a year ago. Still ringing like the first day.

Mental state any better?

 

[mohn]

@Nick116, how do you suspect you caught COVID-19?

Oscar got tinnitus because of COVID-19. You had tinnitus before COVID-19 and it spiked your tinnitus. Chances are yours might go to baseline faster.

 

[Nick116]

I'm hoping it does although it's not been too bad today and I'm feeling ok. Fingers crossed it gets back to normal soon. I'll keep you posted.

 

[Lane]

It's highly likely we'll all catch COVID-19 sometime or another and eventually it'll become like the seasonal flu.

Hi @Nick116 -- I've come to believe we've all been exposed to the virus at some time or another. Though there are always a variety of factors, I think a lot depends on the amount of exposure we have as to whether or not a person goes on to experience COVID-19 symptoms, whether minor or severe.

I suspect many millions (tens of millions?) of people in the U.S. have already contracted COVID-19, but didn't even realize it. If so, they likely have a natural immunity that's better than the COVID-19 vaccine, or any booster. If I were considering getting a COVID-19 shot or booster, I would try to test for COVID-19 antibodies to determine whether or not I really needed it.

 

[Juan]

If I were considering getting a COVID-19 shot or booster, I would try to test for COVID-19 antibodies to determine whether or not I really needed it.

I still do not understand why governments do not foster research on a drug to cure or contain COVID-19 instead of focusing on the vaccines. There must be business reasons behind all this.

 

[Clerkp]

I still do not understand why governments do not foster research on a drug to cure or contain COVID-19 instead of focusing on the vaccines. There must be business reasons behind all this.

Antiviral treatments are notoriously difficult. Look at Tamiflu - it's practically worthless. Vaccines actually protect you so you don't get sick in the first place. It's not business. It's logic.

 

[Tinker Bell]

I still do not understand why governments do not foster research on a drug to cure or contain COVID-19 instead of focusing on the vaccines. There must be business reasons behind all this.

Pfizer has an antiviral COVID-19 treatment coming to market in the next few months. Posts from members wondering if this COVID-19 antiviral spiked or caused tinnitus should follow shortly after.

Pfizer Says Its Antiviral Pill Is Highly Effective in Treating Covid

@Clerkp is right in that Tamiflu is not always reliable. There is a very small window to start the medication, and people are often past it by the time they realize they have the flu. People also hesitate to use Tamiflu due to side effects.

 

[Juan]

Pfizer has an antiviral COVID-19 treatment coming to market in the next few months. Posts from members wondering if this COVID-19 antiviral spiked or caused tinnitus should follow shortly after.

It would be great if they could just develop a drug to treat COVID-19 after a person has been infected.

 

[Clerkp]

It would be great if they could just develop a drug to treat COVID-19 after a person has been infected.

Indeed, but based on the history of coronaviruses, this is highly unlikely. Sure, treatments will improve etc. but what we really want to do (including those of us with tinnitus) is avoid allowing the virus to replicate in our bodies to a point where it wreaks havoc. Vaccines will likely always be the treatment of choice to accomplish this goal.

 

[Juan]

Indeed, but based on the history of coronaviruses, this is highly unlikely. Sure, treatments will improve etc. but what we really want to do (including those of us with tinnitus) is avoid allowing the virus to replicate in our bodies to a point where it wreaks havoc. Vaccines will likely always be the treatment of choice to accomplish this goal.

So what's the next step on this nonsense? Vaccinating 1 year olds?

 

[Clerkp]

Vaccinating 1 year olds?

Correct. While not 1, my 12 year old got vaxxed on his birthday and my 8 year old we signed up as soon as we could. Some statistics show that 50% of kids with even asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 have health issues 6 months later. We did not hesitate to vaccinate our kids.

 

[Juan]

Correct. While not 1, my 12 year old got vaxxed on his birthday and my 8 year old we signed up as soon as we could. Some statistics show that 50% of kids with even asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 have health issues 6 months later. We did not hesitate to vaccinate our kids.

Do you know what happened with Thalidomide and how the effects unravelled later on?

That's what makes me have doubts about all the new COVID-19 vaccines. The possibility of delayed side effects.

As a hyperacusis and tinnitus sufferer, I know that these conditions change over time and are very sensitive, so I did not want to play with new vaccines...

 

[Lane]

We did not hesitate to vaccinate our kids.

My understanding is COVID-19 shots are not vaccinations; they're injections of a drug. Big difference.

 

[Clerkp]

Do you know what happened with Thalidomide and how the effects unravelled later on?

That's what makes me have doubts about all the new COVID-19 vaccines. The possibility of delayed side effects.

As a hyperacusis and tinnitus sufferer, I know that these conditions change over time and are very sensitive, so I did not want to play with new vaccines...

I get it. Easy choice for me and my family but I understand why some are hesitant. I still think the risk of damage is greater with actual COVID-19 but it's a bit of a gamble.

Gotta trust the experts on this.

 

[Clerkp]

My understanding is COVID-19 shots are not vaccinations; they're injections of a drug. Big difference.

This is an incredibly vague statement so it's hard to respond. I'm not a doctor or a scientist. It is true that mRNA vaccines do not inject dead virus into you like traditional vaccines. I do not think that equates to being an "injection of a drug".

Again, you are weighing the vaccines against a deadly virus that hospitalizes 1 in 10 and kills 1-2% of all infected. Everyone likes to talk about how it's not serious unless and until you or your loved one is the one on a ventilator. And there is virtually no way to be sure whether you will be fine or not. Sure, the younger and fewer risk factors you have the better, but it's by no means a guaranty. Plenty of tragic stories of young healthy adults dying from this.

 

[Óscar PP]

Mental state any better?

Yeah; thanks to Mirtazapine I was able to sleep again.

Habituation kicked in around the 6 month mark and now I can live a normal life without trying to find a cure for tinnitus every other hour.

By this I don't mean I don't think a cure is necessary but I would like to give hope to people new to this because even with a loud annoying high pitched sound, it's still possible to habituate at some point without the need of expensive snake oil bullshit like TRT.

 

[Wrfortiscue]

Yeah; thanks to Mirtazapine I was able to sleep again.

Habituation kicked in around the 6 month mark and now I can live a normal life without trying to find a cure for tinnitus every other hour.

By this I don't mean I don't think a cure is necessary but I would like to give hope to people new to this because even with a loud annoying high pitched sound, it's still possible to habituate at some point without the need of expensive snake oil bullshit like TRT.

That's badass! Is Mirtazapine safe to take daily?

 

[Lane]

And there is virtually no way to be sure whether you will be fine or not.

You're correct, nobody can be 100% certain of how severely they will be affected by a COVID-19 infection. But there are many very simple, safe, effective, and inexpensive things that a person can do to dramatically tilt the odds in their favor of having an asymptomatic, or very moderate case. The coronavirus has many vulnerabilities, and in my opinion, should not be feared. Just manage it with all the tools we currently have available.

 

[Óscar PP]

That's badass! Is Mirtazapine safe to take daily?

The general consensus is yes since it's an anti-depressant. It will need a slow taper to come off of it though because it can cause bad withdrawals.

 

[Lane]

Good opinion piece in Newsweek Magazine -- Below is the introductory paragraph...

Why I'm Not Vaccinated | Opinion

"I am not vaccinated. In a sane society, a personal decision like this would not warrant a column, or even an explanation. But we do not live in a sane society. As a healthy 36-year-old woman, COVID-19 does not pose a statistically meaningful threat to my life. I have a 99.97 percent chance of survival. Why would I get a vaccine for a virus that I do not fear and that isn't a threat to my life—particularly when there is an element of risk from the vaccines?"​