Tinnitus After Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine — My ENT Has Seen Many Patients with the Same Issue

[MindOverMatter]

@Momma28, I had many of the same experiences you had at this point of the 2nd jab. Got a full cold after day 3. 10 days in now, and very slowly getting better.

 

[Momma28]

@Momma28, I had many of the same experiences you had at this point of the 2nd jab. Got a full cold after day 3. 10 days in now, and very slowly getting better.

Oh wow, I hope I don't get a cold.

I have a busy next week! I don't feel sick now but still hot!

10 days, you poor soul! I hope you get better very soon!

I think I will opt out of getting any further COVID-19 jabs. Heard so much about this booster. Thankfully I am fit, healthy and don't have any health issues!

 

[Wrfortiscue]

I think the vaccine is causing an immune response similar to those with long COVID-19 symptoms. Auditory system is being damaged somehow, vs. a temporary inflammation response. Some heal, some don't.

 

[XoutofstepX]

I am almost 72 hours post my 2nd Pfizer shot, and I think I am having a spike from it. Last night the ringing became louder, or higher pitched maybe. I got terrible sleep because of it. It was still the same this morning. I hope this isn't permanent.

I am going to take anti-inflammatory supplements and eat foods that help inflammation. Is NAC something I should be taking as well? I read that this might help.

 

[K.A.]

I am almost 72 hours post my 2nd Pfizer shot, and I think I am having a spike from it. Last night the ringing became louder, or higher pitched maybe. I got terrible sleep because of it. It was still the same this morning. I hope this isn't permanent.

I am going to take anti-inflammatory supplements and eat foods that help inflammation. Is NAC something I should be taking as well? I read that this might help.

How did it go?

Did the spike last? Did you take NAC or any other supplement that you think might have had any effect?

 

[JCA]

It is still going on. I thought it would subside a bit. I have my good days where I just ignore it or ACRN therapy helps. I have a few tracks that turn it into a hiss or something different. It is still 24/7 unless I do something to take my mind off of it.

This hint that there will be a recommended 3rd shot is a little scary but how much worse can it be?

 

[Damocles]

This hint that there will be a recommended 3rd shot is a little scary but how much worse can it be?

Mate...

Please tell me you are joking?

They're going to be manufacturing and recommending "booster shots" for this, forever.

Asking how much worse can the 3rd one be, is the same as asking how much worse can the 23rd one be.

 

[JCA]

Mate...

Please tell me you are joking?

They're going to be manufacturing and recommending "booster shots" for this, forever.

Asking how much worse can the 3rd one be, is the same as asking how much worse can the 23rd one be.

I do agree with that statement. The numbers in Ohio are more unvax'd. There are vax'd getting COVID-19 but I'm sure that's not represented because most will just not report it and you won't feel as bad or get hospitalized.

I'm going to try Aleve therapy for a week to see if there's inflammation that I'm just not paying attention to.

 

[Sara May]

I do agree with that statement. The numbers in Ohio are more unvax'd. There are vax'd getting COVID-19 but I'm sure that's not represented because most will just not report it and you won't feel as bad or get hospitalized.

I'm going to try Aleve therapy for a week to see if there's inflammation that I'm just not paying attention to.

JCA, have you at any time had blood work done? When I saw an ENT doc after tinnitus onset I had the hearing test, blood test and brain MRI. All came back normal according to doc. However, I now know that some of my blood work results some would not classify as in normal range. Do you know if anyone has tested your TSH level and your TPO antibody levels and, if so, what were your results?

 

[JCA]

JCA, have you at any time had blood work done? When I saw an ENT doc after tinnitus onset I had the hearing test, blood test and brain MRI. All came back normal according to doc. However, I now know that some of my blood work results some would not classify as in normal range. Do you know if anyone has tested your TSH level and your TPO antibody levels and, if so, what were your results?

I'll have to check and get back to you. I've had all sorts of blood work, hearing test was fine. I've had high cholesterol that I take Crestor for and it works but it's really hereditary in my case. I've had numbers above 300 before and had a heart scan and not a single show of anything there.

I do not see where my TSH or TPO has been tested.

 

[Sara May]

I'll have to check and get back to you. I've had all sorts of blood work, hearing test was fine. I've had high cholesterol that I take Crestor for and it works but it's really hereditary in my case. I've had numbers above 300 before and had a heart scan and not a single show of anything there.

I do not see where my TSH or TPO has been tested.

I got my lab work done with Labcorp and I didn't know it until I went to their website and learnt that after registering with a Labcorp login, all my details, lab work done and results can be viewed directly with them. That was the only way I found out what blood work was done and what the results were. I ask because the ENT told me my results were fine, but he did test for TSH and TPO which were high and others read that as a possible autoimmune disease which some believe can cause tinnitus.

 

[VICKI HERRMANN]

I'll have to check and get back to you. I've had all sorts of blood work, hearing test was fine. I've had high cholesterol that I take Crestor for and it works but it's really hereditary in my case. I've had numbers above 300 before and had a heart scan and not a single show of anything there.

I do not see where my TSH or TPO has been tested.

Hi JCA,

How is your pulsatile tinnitus now ? Has it reduced in intensity? As I am seeing a vascular specialist plus an ENT tomorrow as it's driving me nuts with no sleep at night. I barely get to sleep and it wakes me up after about 4 hours. Exhausted, so desperate to know how you are feeling now and what you do at night to help relieve it.

 

[Simon85]

barely get to sleep and it wakes me up after about 4 hours. Exhausted, so desperate to know how you are feeling now and what you do at night to help relieve it.

Hi @VICKI HERRMANN. Sorry to hear you're having trouble sleeping. Know that it does get better. I had to lean on sleeping pills to get blocks of sleep in the beginning. I hope you find some relief soon.

 

[VICKI HERRMANN]

Hi @VICKI HERRMANN. Sorry to hear you're having trouble sleeping. Know that it does get better. I had to lean on sleeping pills to get blocks of sleep in the beginning. I hope you find some relief soon.

OMG! Thank you Simon for your inspiring words! I truly hope so as I dread the nights the most... makes life so hard getting only a few hours shut eye a night. Your post gives me some hope so thank you. My second Pfizer was 15th August and the pulsatile tinnitus symptoms came on straight away but got steadily worse after a week & now four weeks in I am exhausted as it now wakes me up thumping...

Simon thank you for your positive words, very grateful! Sending you thanks.

Vicki

 

[Sara May]

Hi @VICKI HERRMANN, would you have classified yourself as healthy prior to the 2nd jab and did you have very harsh side effects to the jab? This was my experience.

Now since, due to blood work results prescribed by ENT, I saw certain anomalies (which he didn't advise me of, in my case ENT couldn't help after MRI came back normal and in his mind my blood work was normal).

The anomalies were Thyroid antibodies being high (TPO) as well as TSH on high end of their range,(while Vit D was low).

I followed this up as I still had raging symptoms of tinnitus and head pressure.

Endocrinologist told me I had Hashimoto (which I never knew) but that she wouldn't put me on thyroid meds since I wasn't hypothyroid (according to med guidelines) to do so even though I had unbearable symptoms (tinnitus and head pressure). I researched people suffering with this and started basically self-medicating with supplements and a couple of other things. I haven't posted yet about my experience as I am uncertain if this has conclusively worked for me (bear in mind all tinnitus does not have the same route cause), but in my case following supplementing advised by Hashimoto sufferers is starting to help. My belief is that there's a chance that the jab may in some people trigger possible pre-existing issues they weren't aware of (and I'm no doctor just my individual experience of someone suffering through it). I was planning on posting on this once and if I have more conclusive results of my case. See what your ENT does and let us know.

For sleep, I found Melatonin and Magnesium helped a lot. Also if you end up being borderline low on Vit D I believe the Vitamin D Protocol may be helping me (Vit D3, K2 and Magnesium), and also Selenium.

Again this is my individual experience.

 

[JCA]

Hi JCA,

How is your pulsatile tinnitus now ? Has it reduced in intensity? As I am seeing a vascular specialist plus an ENT tomorrow as it's driving me nuts with no sleep at night. I barely get to sleep and it wakes me up after about 4 hours. Exhausted, so desperate to know how you are feeling now and what you do at night to help relieve it.

My tinnitus is off the charts today, however, I am in an office with the low hum of traffic on 270. I also get spikes from lawn mowers, blowing fans. It's crazy what sets it off. My wife usually wakes me from snoring sometime during the night and as soon as I'm awake I'm mostly done.

Someone mentioned Melatonin and Magnesium and I've tried both. I have the Calm powder that I'll throw a bit into a drink and pop a Melatonin and it helps sometimes but not always.

I hope it gets better. My ENT did tell me he thought it may lessen a touch but I wasn't real confident in his reaction.

I'm checking bloodwork this week or next, so we'll see.

 

[VICKI HERRMANN]

Thanks JCA! Good you get sleep. That gives me hope as I think I have to accept the fact I have to take sleeping tablets of some kind.

I started following you on here as I wanted to benchmark your journey so I may get hopeful but it seems the inflammation from the jab doesn't actually dissipate over time. I am very grateful to all feedback and things that have helped you and others. I feel I have to be my own doctor as my GP has no idea.

Thanks again.

Sleepless in Sydney.

 

[VICKI HERRMANN]

Hi @VICKI HERRMANN, would you have classified yourself as healthy prior to the 2nd jab and did you have very harsh side effects to the jab? This was my experience.

Now since, due to blood work results prescribed by ENT, I saw certain anomalies (which he didn't advise me of, in my case ENT couldn't help after MRI came back normal and in his mind my blood work was normal).

The anomalies were Thyroid antibodies being high (TPO) as well as TSH on high end of their range,(while Vit D was low).

I followed this up as I still had raging symptoms of tinnitus and head pressure.

Endocrinologist told me I had Hashimoto (which I never knew) but that she wouldn't put me on thyroid meds since I wasn't hypothyroid (according to med guidelines) to do so even though I had unbearable symptoms (tinnitus and head pressure). I researched people suffering with this and started basically self-medicating with supplements and a couple of other things. I haven't posted yet about my experience as I am uncertain if this has conclusively worked for me (bear in mind all tinnitus does not have the same route cause), but in my case following supplementing advised by Hashimoto sufferers is starting to help. My belief is that there's a chance that the jab may in some people trigger possible pre-existing issues they weren't aware of (and I'm no doctor just my individual experience of someone suffering through it). I was planning on posting on this once and if I have more conclusive results of my case. See what your ENT does and let us know.

For sleep, I found Melatonin and Magnesium helped a lot. Also if you end up being borderline low on Vit D I believe the Vitamin D Protocol may be helping me (Vit D3, K2 and Magnesium), and also Selenium.

Again this is my individual experience.

Thank you for your feedback! ENT found nothing and prior to second jab I was fine. I am 52 but no health issues except for cholesterol which is 6.6 so I started a statin last week.

At the moment I have been trying to sleep and my whole head is pounding, nothing giving me peace. At the ENT the pounding pulse wasn't there. It's primarily for me when I lie down like on a sofa or in bed. The ENT ignored my Pfizer statement and basically said as we get older the arteries get narrower but these symptoms he said should pass.

Though from this site I don't think so. It is causing me depression as I am crying at the moment as it's in both of my ears. My blood pressure is fine as well so no reason stands out.

I can live with the pounding during the day but it's the rest at night which I can't handle. Like a freight train chugging thru my head. I think I will have to resort to an antidepressant or something like that even though I am against them.

If anyone has had pulsatile tinnitus all night long and has managed to sleep, I would love to know how.

My thyroid levels were good. The only thing is I am menopausal plus elevated cholesterol --- that's it. I weigh 58 kilos so I am not fat.

I believe in your theory regarding the inflammation from the jab created a storm cloud of immune flare up but the ENT and GP don't want to hear that.

I have to find a way to get rest even if it's medicated as this is ridiculous... Healthy middle aged woman has vaccine and is now a mess from thumping in my head.

Pray I sleep tonight... and please may you continue to chat with me on here as I find solace being able to discuss symptoms and remedies. Thank you for reaching out to me. Very grateful.

Xxoo

 

[VICKI HERRMANN]

I think the vaccine is causing an immune response similar to those with long COVID-19 symptoms. Auditory system is being damaged somehow, vs. a temporary inflammation response. Some heal, some don't.

Omg, have you healed? I am at my wits' end with zero sleep. My ENT thinks there is no issue but when I lie down it's like a marching band in my ears/head.

 

[Wrfortiscue]

Omg, have you healed? I am at my wits' end with zero sleep. My ENT thinks there is no issue but when I lie down it's like a marching band in my ears/head.

No healing, just dealing. Added it to my list of already suffering ailments lol. Got to find a way to keep on trucking.

 

[Lane]

I am at my wits' end with zero sleep.

Hi @VICKI HERRMANN -- I got about 20 minutes of sleep a day for the first week or so of my tinnitus. A 1/4 tablet of Tylenol 4 helped me start sleeping again. The first time I took it, I slept for 6 hours, after having hardly slept for several days. Tylenol 4 is a prescription medication that contains codeine, but my understanding is most doctors consider it a fairly benign pain prescription.

 

[VICKI HERRMANN]

No healing, just dealing. Added it to my list of already suffering ailments lol. Got to find a way to keep on trucking.

Oh my... that's not encouraging but your strength is… thank you for being so honest as truly this forum has been fabulous for me as I navigate through PT and everyone's strategies to 'cope' really help, as they are options in my coping toolkit.

 

[VICKI HERRMANN]

Hi @VICKI HERRMANN -- I got about 20 minutes of sleep a day for the first week or so of my tinnitus. A 1/4 tablet of Tylenol 4 helped me start sleeping again. The first time I took it, I slept for 6 hours, after having hardly slept for several days. Tylenol 4 is a prescription medication that contains codeine, but my understanding is most doctors consider it a fairly benign pain prescription.

Thank you! Yes in Australia we don't have as much range as other countries, especially over the counter it is very limited. I am speaking with my GP so will ask about codeine / pain relief meds to help block out the thumping PT to get some shut eye. I am very grateful to you for sharing as well - it's awful we all are suffering but lucky to have found this site to share knowledge as I don't feel alone and I hope it gets better as inflammation from vaccine subsides.

 

[VICKI HERRMANN]

Well I got my second dose April 29, 2021. One of the toughest and scariest decisions I've made, especially after reading some of the dose 2 side effects from Tinnitus Talk. It's been over a week now and I can say that, aside from the stress, I've had no significant increase in my tinnitus. I actually had a big reduction for one day after the shot. I think that was do to resolving the conflict in my mind between getting the shot or not. What a crazy unknown door to have to choose to pass though or not. These vaccines have side effects, and that while they aren't affecting the population greatly on a statistical way, they are debilitating to the few that get them. I just figured that I got the tinnitus from dose 1, I might as well get the long term benefit of dose 2 and deal with the side effects.

I've done a lot of internet research to try to figure out what is going on. My quick answer (hope) is it's our immune response and not the vaccine. This is a good thing because over the course of the immune response the response to the antigen (vaccine spike protein) will diminish over time. 1 to 3 months after the second dose. My hope is our the antagonist to our Vestibulocochlear Nerve will be down regulated as the antigen is no longer a threat to our immune response. Kind of like a bee hive calming down after being disturbed.

Chapter 15 - Cranial Nerves

What is the antagonist? Well, I read tinnitus has many unknowns and causes but I see that it can be causes are in 3 general categories, physical injury to the auditory system, chemical injury to the auditory system (ototoxic), and a category labeled idiopathic, unknown. I don't believe it's the first 2 so I researched the idiopathic for the cause.

This is where it gets a little interesting, and again all internet conjuncture on my part, just trying to help myself cope.

I've broken the idiopathic into physiology, psychology, and focused on the physiology. Stress is always a factor but I'm looking for the antagonist. Long story short, I feel this is an immune response.

Innate and Adaptive Immunity

So what part of immune response has the capability to cause a problem with a normal functioning auditory system? Maybe Mast Cells. I haven't found a paper linking mast cells and tinnitus yet, but mast cells sure look like they can cause a lot of problems if they are over-stimulated. In short mast cells release lots of chemicals.

View attachment 44909

One of which is histamine, and in the upper left you can see Vertigo/CNS. I think you can add tinnitus to the list.

View attachment 44908

Hi Neil,

I got pulsatile tinnitus from the vaccine and it's driving me nuts at night. I tried to sleep without a sleeping tablet but it's soul destroying. I will continue to try but I end up frustrated at 2 am and take half a tablet and stuff anything in my ears to muffle my heartbeat. I don't have any hearing issues and it's not regular tinnitus as the ENT said it's pulsatile tinnitus.

Having MRI this week but the specialist thought I am cookoo when I told them it happened after my second Pfizer shot. I said I came home and I felt hot in my head so I lay my head down as I felt not right and then boom it was like an explosion inside my head which subsided after Ibuprofen and water but it never left, instead I got this whooshing of my heart pounding which radiates to both ears but it feels it's in the back of my head. Not sure what others feel as I too am keeping a log as it's 5 weeks on and it's gotten me very frustrated because doctors say to live with it.

Any help or pointers as to when the immune response will lessen or has it damaged us permanently i.e non-repairable?

Hope wanted for maddening pulsatile tinnitus.

 

[Lane]

I got this whooshing of my heart pounding which radiates to both ears but it feels it's in the back of my head.

Hi @VICKI HERRMANN -- Have you considered trying to raise nitric oxide levels in your body? It's well documented to improve circulation, and "may" have a positive effect for your pulsatile tinnitus. One way to raise NO levels is to consumer some organic beet root juice powder (I mix this in with my smoothies).

Organic Beet Root Juice Powder - All Natural Nitric Oxide Booster Supplement - Support Long Lasting Endurance - Great Pre or Post Workout Drink Mix - Raw, Gluten Free, Non GMO, Vegan, & Kosher - 1 lb

 

[Andrew01]

L-Citrulline is a pretty effective supplement for increasing NO, you can get it as citrulline malate powder or eat a lot of watermelon!

 

[Vincent R]

Having MRI this week [...]

MRI is capable of causing and worsening pre-existing tinnitus. You can do a search here on Tinnitus Talk for examples.

I don't know your reason for undertaking the scan, but it better be good because the risks of your tinnitus hell getting worse is real.

 

[JCA]

This week has been a challenge as everyone seems to be mowing their lawns at the same time. Odd that this is something that spikes my tinnitus. I was able to do some massage therapy on my face, jaw, around and above my ears to get some relief. Now that doesn't work.

I am due for another ENT appointment so I'll keep you updated on that.

I don't feel that I've lost any hearing, just when it spikes I find myself trying to listen a little better just to keep the people around me from having to repeat everything. Wife says I should get an MRI but I just don't think that's going to provide anything that will help.

Hope you all have a great week. Actually going on a much needed vacation to New Buffalo MI. Within driving distance and doesn't require masks. Were scheduled to go to Tampa but with friends in Florida telling us it's a mess, we changed plans.

 

[Chris S.]

This week has been a challenge as everyone seems to be mowing their lawns at the same time. Odd that this is something that spikes my tinnitus. I was able to do some massage therapy on my face, jaw, around and above my ears to get some relief. Now that doesn't work.

I am due for another ENT appointment so I'll keep you updated on that.

I don't feel that I've lost any hearing, just when it spikes I find myself trying to listen a little better just to keep the people around me from having to repeat everything. Wife says I should get an MRI but I just don't think that's going to provide anything that will help.

Hope you all have a great week. Actually going on a much needed vacation to New Buffalo MI. Within driving distance and doesn't require masks. Were scheduled to go to Tampa but with friends in Florida telling us it's a mess, we changed plans.

Not at all odd. You have reactive tinnitus. I live in a nearby state - and the same acoustic aggressors (mowers, tractors, blowers, etc.) spike my tinnitus (it seems that everyone around me works on their lawn EVERY day). The solution for me - wear earplugs and/or low profile earmuffs anywhere I go.

 

[JCA]

I have an update, my tinnitus has been worse so every day so I go through the process of this and that and listening to what I can find that will help. Stretches and so on. Some days it is just insane how high the pitch is.

With that being said, I found a 15 kHz sound that I play and it kills the tinnitus for however long I feel like I want to hear this video. I have a YouTube downloader that I use to download to a mp3 file to play on different devices.

Here is the link:

Tinnitus Zinger Masker at 15kHz - YouTube

Hope it helps someone, just find the right volume and play!