Will You Get Vaccinated for Coronavirus (COVID-19)? Can It Make Tinnitus or Hyperacusis Worse?

[ramza97]

I've been struggling with hearing and balance issues ever since coming off Zoloft. I've had basically every symptom on the vaccine side effect list (ear fullness, muffled hearing/loss, multi-tone tinnitus, and multiple bouts of wooziness/off balance plus one episode of vertigo back in 2017).

I am scared of getting the vaccine since it may trigger dizziness/vertigo, hearing loss, and/or worsened tinnitus due to my many latent conditions.

Is my risk any different than anyone who has developed those issues, or am I at substantial risk due to my history?

 

[Ed209]

As we are discussing the risk of COVID-19 vaccines, we may want to weigh that against the risk of COVID-19 and the potential long-term auditory concerns. I just saw yet another article discussing that even individuals who had mild cases of COVID-19 are complaining long-term of tinnitus, headaches and other health concerns.

Does anyone have any study data on COVID-19 and tinnitus? I recall one study placed it around almost 15 per cent of COVID-19 cases complained of tinnitus, while around 40 percent of individuals who previously had tinnitus complained it worsened.

We've discussed this a few times. One example is on the bottom quarter of this page:

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/coronavirus-sars-cov-2-covid-19-and-tinnitus.39916/page-80

COVID-19 is orders of magnitude more dangerous than any of the vaccines, so if one is working from a basis of risk management, the vaccines are the way to go. There is just no comparison.

I think @linearb was right when he said people are averse to taking the vaccines because it's a decision that's under their control. They would rather try to avoid something than take something, even though it's inevitable that we will all get it at some point. COVID-19 poses a much bigger risk to the auditory system.

 

[kingsfan]

We've discussed this a few times. One example is on the bottom quarter of this page:

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/coronavirus-sars-cov-2-covid-19-and-tinnitus.39916/page-80

COVID-19 is orders of magnitude more dangerous than any of the vaccines, so if one is working from a basis of risk management, the vaccines are the way to go. There is just no comparison.

I think @linearb was right when he said people are averse to taking the vaccines because it's a decision that's under their control. They would rather try to avoid something than take something, even though it's inevitable that we will all get it at some point. COVID-19 poses a much bigger risk to the auditory system.

The big question is how often will we need to vaccinate. Off the top of my head I believe the SARS vaccine lasted up to 2 years in individuals, so I'm hoping this one turns out to be the same. Also, wondering if any adverse hearing symptoms will be compounded each time we take the vaccine or if maybe it will be a one and done type deal.

 

[Ed209]

I am scared of getting the vaccine since it may trigger dizziness/vertigo, hearing loss, and/or worsened tinnitus due to my many latent conditions.

Is my risk any different than anyone who has developed those issues, or am I at substantial risk due to my history?

The odds of these things happening with COVID-19 are significantly higher. So, if you are trying to manage your risk then taking the vaccine is by far the safer bet based on the evidence we have.

It's a personal choice, however.

 

[Tinker Bell]

The big question is how often will we need to vaccinate. Off the top of my head I believe the SARS vaccine lasted up to 2 years in individuals, so I'm hoping this one turns out to be the same. Also, wondering if any adverse hearing symptoms will be compounded each time we take the vaccine or if maybe it will be a one and done type deal.

Concerning whether additional vaccination will compound adverse reactions, there is some interesting data out of Israel that suggests it might not. Israel has vaccinated 50 percent of their adult population, predominantly with Pfizer. They seem to have a pretty good system in place for tracking side effects and found beyond the typical cold-like symptoms or feeling unwell, fewer unusual side effects happened with the second vaccination.

"Neurological symptoms were reported by 287 first-dose vaccinees and 96 second-dose vaccines . . . Other unusual side effects were reported by 60 and 19 people after the first and second shots, respectively."

Post-COVID vaccine, under 0.3% of Israelis reported side effects to doctor

 

[Tinker Bell]

We've discussed this a few times. One example is on the bottom quarter of this page:

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/coronavirus-sars-cov-2-covid-19-and-tinnitus.39916/page-80

COVID-19 is orders of magnitude more dangerous than any of the vaccines, so if one is working from a basis of risk management, the vaccines are the way to go. There is just no comparison.

I think @linearb was right when he said people are averse to taking the vaccines because it's a decision that's under their control. They would rather try to avoid something than take something, even though it's inevitable that we will all get it at some point. COVID-19 poses a much bigger risk to the auditory system.

Thank you for the link! I think @linearb is 100 percent correct, it is an issue of control. No one wants to make a decision that will worse their tinnitus, and you're right that we need to weigh which decision has the more likely outcome of auditory damage.

 

[Lane]

Is my risk any different than anyone who has developed those issues, or am I at substantial risk due to my history?

Hi @ramza97 -- My own take is that your risk is higher, and I would recommend caution. My own risk profile includes having a history of anaphylactic shock, which was closest I came to dying in my lifetime. So it's an easy decision for me to forego this vaccine, which I believe the foremost vaccine proponents are in agreement with.

I know many say the risks of getting COVID-19 are much greater than the risks of getting a vaccine. But I very much disagree with that, as there are many things a person can do to greatly reduce the odds of getting COVID-19 in the first place, or greatly mitigating the effects if one does become infected. Unfortunately, those "things" are generally perceived as "alternative", and are given little to no credence (even ridicule) by mainstream medicine whose paradigm pays little attention to those kinds of simple, inexpensive, and effective strategies.

 

[Manex]

I was recently looking through a list of consumer reported side effects for Pfizer data in the U.K. and it caught my eye that around 30 people listed tooth pain. Is the vaccine really causing toothaches? I suspect not, it's more likely a case of correlation rather than causation.

Flu like reaction could affect sinus and that could cause tooth pain for sure.

 

[Alue]

I spoke with my ENT recently. He told me he has seen a major increase in SSHL and tinnitus cases in the past year and believes it's due to COVID-19.

I'm concerned about my 2nd vaccination shot making things worse, but I think it's still the safer alternative.

 

[linearb]

I am eligible to sign up at midnight tonight, and I will be awake at midnight tonight!!

 

[Tinker Bell]

I am eligible to sign up at midnight tonight, and I will be awake at midnight tonight!!

Are you trying for a specific vaccine or taking what you can get?

I just read an article that mRNA technology will soon be used in clinical studies as a way to treat cancer and HIV. It would be wonderful if something good - like treatments for terminal conditions - came out of this pandemic. Who knows, maybe mRNA technology will one day help treat hearing loss.

ETA: I did a quick search, and prior to COVID-19 there was some research finding that protein errors contribute to early hearing loss and discussing mRNA.

 

[linearb]

Are you trying for a specific vaccine or taking what you can get?

The stupid website isn't live yet!

I have a slight preference for Pfizer but I'll take Moderna if it's a substantially different wait time. That's all that's being offered here; I'd rather have one of the mRNA drugs than J&J.

 

[Ed209]

I have a slight preference for Pfizer but I'll take Moderna if it's a substantially different wait time. That's all that's being offered here; I'd rather have one of the mRNA drugs than J&J.

Just out of curiosity, will they be charging you a fee to administer the vaccine?

 

[linearb]

Just out of curiosity, will they be charging you a fee to administer the vaccine?

This is America, so, probably? No idea, I pay $30,000 a year out of pocket for insurance and deductible for family, and after that everything is covered at 100%, so I don't think about specific costs. Except the drug I take which is not covered which costs another $200 a month. This is America!

I AM SCHEDULED FOR PFIZER #1 ON 5/5. JAB MR, MFERS!!!

 

[Ed209]

This is America, so, probably? No idea, I pay $30,000 a year out of pocket for insurance and deductible for family, and after that everything is covered at 100%, so I don't think about specific costs. Except the drug I take which is not covered which costs another $200 a month. This is America!

I AM SCHEDULED FOR PFIZER #1 ON 5/5. JAB MR, MFERS!!!

Yea, I hear you. The medical costs over there are crazy and often leave people with crippling debts.

Pfizer is the one I'd prefer.

 

[linearb]

Yea, I hear you. The medical costs over there are crazy and often leave people with crippling debts.

Pfizer is the one I'd prefer.

"Medical bills are reported to be the number one cause of U.S. bankruptcies. One study has claimed that 62.1% of bankruptcies were caused by medical issues.

Another claims that over 2 million people are adversely affected by their medical expenses."

Medical Bankruptcy and the Economy

Cool normal country we have here. I think "2 million" is ludicrously low, it's actually "everyone not in the top 2% of earners", but most people don't know it because they think their employer offered insurance is "good" and also don't realize the basic truth that employer providing coverage means employer pays you less cash.

No such thing as a free pony.

 

[Ed209]

"Medical bills are reported to be the number one cause of U.S. bankruptcies. One study has claimed that 62.1% of bankruptcies were caused by medical issues.

Another claims that over 2 million people are adversely affected by their medical expenses."

Medical Bankruptcy and the Economy

Cool normal country we have here. I think "2 million" is ludicrously low, it's actually "everyone not in the top 2% of earners", but most people don't know it because they think their employer offered insurance is "good" and also don't realize the basic truth that employer providing coverage means employer pays you less cash.

No such thing as a free pony.

It's so bad even famous people can't afford the bills. I know of many high-profile people who have to hold benefit concerts and stuff to survive. One such example is Jason Becker.

 

[ajc]

One such example is Jason Becker.

OMG I searched for his name and he has ALS. He's on a ventilator 24/7. That's hell.

 

[Ed209]

OMG I searched for his name and he has ALS. He's on a ventilator 24/7. That's hell.

His story is tragic beyond belief. I'm surprised they haven't made it into a movie.

When he was 19 he was known as one of the best guitarists in the world, and his dream was to play with David Lee Roth. Well, after years of hard dedication, he got an opportunity to audition for his band and he got the job. He was on cloud nine as all his dreams had come true. They had a studio album lined up followed by a big stadium tour. He really couldn't believe how good his life was.

Then he started to notice he was getting clumsy and was tripping a lot. After a while, he decided to seek out a Dr's opinion, and that's when he was diagnosed with ALS. Imagine that: from being told you're in one of the biggest bands in the world at the time, to being diagnosed with that. They started work on the studio album, but his hands were quickly losing the ability to play. However, David Lee Roth wanted him to finish it and gave him time. He just about recorded the parts, but his condition progressed so quickly that he never got to play a single show. I believe he was going to try and do the first show as something to remember, but he didn't quite make it. After that he slowly became paralysed and has spent the rest of his life being fed through a tube in a wheel chair. His dad invented a new way of communicating by using the eyes and this method is widely used to this day with other people who are paralysed.

 

[Rainer]

I just read an article that mRNA technology will soon be used in clinical studies as a way to treat cancer and HIV.

I understand that cancer treatment is actually BioNTech's declared company objective, according to CEO Ugur Sahin. He said in an interview that it was more of a spontaneous idea in early 2020 to apply his technology to the more pressing problem of COVID-19, so he re-assigned most of his staff to drop cancer research for the time being, and start working on a vaccine instead.

Incredible guy, that man.

 

[PeteJ]

I understand that cancer treatment is actually BioNTech's declared company objective, according to CEO Ugur Sahin. He said in an interview that it was more of a spontaneous idea in early 2020 to apply his technology to the more pressing problem of COVID-19, so he re-assigned most of his staff to drop cancer research for the time being, and start working on a vaccine instead.

Incredible guy, that man.

More $ in COVID-19 stuff now.

 

[Ed209]

The J&J vaccine has been halted because of blood clots as well:

Johnson & Johnson vaccine paused over rare blood clots

 

[Tinker Bell]

The J&J vaccine has been halted because of blood clots as well:

Johnson & Johnson vaccine paused over rare blood clots

Yes, it has a similar delivery vector as the AstraZeneca vaccine. Halted due to six reports of blood clots out of six million doses.

 

[Lucifer]

Yes, it has a similar delivery vector as the AstraZeneca vaccine. Halted due to six reports of blood clots out of six million doses.

Damn, I know some of us were thinking of getting J&J because it's one shot only and less likelihood of tinnitus getting worse. I guess our only options are Pfizer which has the least side effects of tinnitus so far.

 

[PeteJ]

Damn, I know some of us were thinking of getting J&J because it's one shot only and less likelihood of tinnitus getting worse. I guess our only options are Pfizer which has the least side effects of tinnitus so far.

The other two are shrugging off the evidence of side effects. The fact there are some at all should be of concern but hey, if most of you want to rush out and get it, by all means.

I am not shedding any tears if something happens, though.

 

[Tinker Bell]

Damn, I know some of us were thinking of getting J&J because it's one shot only and less likelihood of tinnitus getting worse. I guess our only options are Pfizer which has the least side effects of tinnitus so far.

All six of the J&J cases of blood clots were in women between the ages of 18 and 48. One died and one is in critical condition. I have heard that there could be a common factor that put them at an elevated risk, one potential being birth control pills. Birth control pills already carry a risk of blood clots, maybe combined with the shot the risk level is higher. Not sure, but obviously they need some time to determine what is happening. It sounds like the rate of the appearance of these blood clots is beyond the normal risk level. Since AstraZeneca uses a similar delivery method, maybe a comparison of cases with blood clot side effects will help find a pattern.

Maybe J&J side effect reports mentioning tinnitus only seem lower because fewer doses have been administered: around 35 reports to 6 million shots versus around 300 reports and around 180 million shots of Pfizer and Moderna.

 

[Ken219]

@Tinker Bell, if they admit to 6, it is properly 6,000 plus.

 

[Lucifer]

All six of the J&J cases of blood clots were in women between the ages of 18 and 48. One died and one is in critical condition. I have heard that there could be a common factor that put them at an elevated risk, one potential being birth control pills. Birth control pills already carry a risk of blood clots, maybe combined with the shot the risk level is higher. Not sure, but obviously they need some time to determine what is happening. It sounds like the rate of the appearance of these blood clots is beyond the normal risk level. Since AstraZeneca uses a similar delivery method, maybe a comparison of cases with blood clot side effects will help find a pattern.

Maybe J&J side effect reports mentioning tinnitus only seem lower because fewer doses have been administered: around 35 reports to 6 million shots versus around 300 reports and around 180 million shots of Pfizer and Moderna.

I did not realise that all 6 having blood clots were women. It could be a combination of both J&J and birth control pills causing this. Not sure why we haven't seen these side effects happening with Pfizer when taking birth control as well.

I guess the safest route will be getting Pfizer or if you can, get off birth control temporarily and resume it a month after taking the 2nd dose of Pfizer.

 

[Lucifer]

The other two are shrugging off the evidence of side effects. The fact there are some at all should be of concern but hey, if most of you want to rush out and get it, by all means.

I am not shedding any tears if something happens, though.

I agree. We have no clue if there will be any side effects that may appear in the future but if you are age 40+ or suffer from pre-existing conditions it seems like getting vaccinated is the best option.

I definitely won't get vaccinated anytime soon but in the future I may.

 

[AliasM]

@Tinker Bell, if they admit to 6, it is properly 6,000 plus.

There have been 2 blood clot hospitalizations after AstraZeneca vaccine out of 700,000 doses administered in Australia.

The latest case yesterday was a woman. The article doesn't say so but the first case was a male.

Second Australian case of blood clots likely linked to AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccination, TGA says