Tinnitus Caused by Wearing Face Mask?

[LoganV]

Hey, I'm new here. This may be a weird/hard to answer question. I first noticed my tinnitus about 3-4 weeks ago and have been trying to pinpoint the cause. It came on suddenly and seemed to happen only about a week and a half after I started wearing a face mask regularly upon returning to work.

Is it possibly that the added pressure behind my ears, from the mask, triggered my tinnitus?

This may be a far fetched theory but the two seemed to have coincided. I'm going to start wearing a bandana to alleviate the discomfort of wearing a mask and see if this has any effect on my tinnitus.

Has anyone experienced anything like this?

Thanks!

 

[Kriszti]

I really doubt it, but hey, this is tinnitus, the craziest things can induce it.

Don't you have a history or headphone use, noisy workplace, any new medicine, ototoxic meds, irregular stress, dental problems, bruxism, BP problems, influenza/cold?

 

[tbuzz89]

Is it possibly that the added pressure behind my ears, from the mask, triggered my tinnitus?

@LoganV, welcome! I find it pretty unlikely that pressure from the straps of a face mask would cause tinnitus. The first questions you should ask yourself is have you been exposed to any loud noise lately? Are you a frequent headphone/earbud user? Any significant stress in your life over the last few months?

There are plenty more folks here on the forum who have much more experience and knowledge than I do and hopefully they chime in!

 

[Tweedleman]

I think it's highly unlikely to be caused by the earloop mask and is more likely something else. You could switch to a mask with over the head straps or the bandanna but I'd sooner investigate any noise esposure, ototoxicity, or other underlying issues like wax buildup known to cause tinnitus.

 

[PeteJ]

My tinnitus is hell regarding the insanity of tones and loudness.

I would bet money that a mask won't affect it. I find wearing them uncomfortable though.

 

[LoganV]

Thanks for your responses! I think being under the stress of going back to work probably had a lot to do with with. Will be going to the doctor to have it checked out. Meanwhile, just making small adjustments to diet, cutting out caffeine etc.

 

[morgothaod]

Tinnitus can happen to anyone, anywhere, any time, and for any or no reason.

 

[spottedponyrider]

I have tinnitus in my left ear. It began right after I started wearing a mask and after a severe upper respiratory infection. A blood test in June said that I did not have COVID-19 anti-bodies. I can get tension headaches from any kind of pressure on my head like from a mask or headband. Carotid artery is fine. I get regular chiropractic care for a neck issue. I was told to find a mask that ties in the back to reduce the pressure. Acupuncture and massage seems to help the most.

I'm wondering if a course of antibiotics might help if there is some lingering infection in the ear canal as I recently started to feel a bit of pressure when the tinnitus flares up.

 

[linearb]

@LoganV it's almost certainly unrelated. If wearing a mask caused you to start using bad neck posture, then maybe there's a connection there, but that doesn't have anything to do with masks per se.

Most people I see are wearing paper masks or cloth masks that barely impact respiration; I, personally, have both changed a trailer tire (with a relatively poor hand jack) in the summer heat, as well as done some fairly hardcore and tiring skiing, wearing a full-fledged valved N95 setup. My SP02 values with and without a mask are indistinguishable.

Stress can absolutely be a factor in how you notice this and how it is perceived.

 

[LoganV]

@linearb thanks for the reply. I was thinking more about the tightness of the mask having an effect on the ears. After dealing with it for some time now, and it starting to subside a bit, I'm assuming it has a lot to do with stress.

 

[twa]

@linearb thanks for the reply. I was thinking more about the tightness of the mask having an effect on the ears. After dealing with it for some time now, and it starting to subside a bit, I'm assuming it has a lot to do with stress.

Isn't it weird though? I notice when I put a tight mask around my ears that I can't hear as well. When I take the mask off, I can hear slightly better. My father, who is hard of hearing, noticed the same thing. That being said, I also was very stressed when my tinnitus began or worsened.

Blessings,
twa

 

[whatdidyousay]

Haven't seen it mentioned, but is there any concern for when the straps of a face mask "snap" into your ear like a slingshot?

I was wearing a P95 mask for cleaning the bathroom that has heavier duty, thick straps that are a pretty tight fit. When I was removing the mask, I lost grip and the lower head strap snapped into the back or side of my ear. Is this likely to cause any hearing/ear damage?