Does tinnitus increase following covid booster... - Tinnitus UK

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Does tinnitus increase following covid booster vaccination?

Rejuven77 profile image
25 Replies

I got tinnitus and mild hearing loss with vertigo and slight nausea within a day after the second Pfizer dose 5 months ago. The vertigo took 8 weeks to improve I was grounded during that time very unpleasant - I have to have the booster now - I still have the buzzing in my right ear and a pulsatile tinnitus in my left ear which now at night when that ear is muffled by the pillow sound like a clock ticking in my ear. My concern - will the third dose increase the tinnitus and will I have another increased spell of vertigo? I am just wondering if anyone else has had this experience with the booster

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Rejuven77 profile image
Rejuven77
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25 Replies
Happyrosie profile image
Happyrosie

It made no difference to me personally, but the latest up to date information on vaccines with tinnitus is on the British tinnitus association website. Bearing in mind that if you get Covid then the chances of your T increasing is worse than the chance of it increasing because of vaccination. But all that is statistics. Each of us is difference and experiences T in different ways - I expect that’s why it’s so hard to find a cure.

Linley profile image
Linley

Fortunately no change for me. But as Happy Rosie says we are all different

surreycccfan profile image
surreycccfan

Personally I have had not had any change in my T with any of my three vaccinations. As still early days there is little completed clinical research into any link to T and COVID/vaccination. The BTA is constantly updating their COVID page but as of yet no evidential link between the two. tinnitus.org.uk/Pages/Categ...

Catlioness41 profile image
Catlioness41 in reply to surreycccfan

I beg to differ, Tinnitus is now down as a rare side effect of the pfizer vaccine.

surreycccfan profile image
surreycccfan in reply to Catlioness41

Would be really interested in reading the results of this clinical research, could you post the link please?

TinnitusUKPat profile image
TinnitusUKPatPartner in reply to Catlioness41

I, too, would like to see this data as it's at odds with every published adverse side effect that I'm aware of. Please feel free to share, if you can recall where you read it.

Catlioness41 profile image
Catlioness41 in reply to TinnitusUKPat

Was told to me by a consultant at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, and why I was not given the booster. Consultant also informed me that Bell's Palsey is also a side effect of the Pfizer Vaccine. I do not lie and have not seen research, but when I am informed by a medical professional to not have it, I listen.

Yogachamp profile image
Yogachamp in reply to Catlioness41

Yes I agree as mine started after 2nd Pfizer as is still going strong 8 months later , so to scared to have the booster

Catlioness41 profile image
Catlioness41 in reply to Yogachamp

I am exactly the same as you, mine still going strong after 9 nine months, hence why no further vaccines for me. Am only just coping now as it's got louder.

Yogachamp profile image
Yogachamp in reply to Catlioness41

I know I feel for you , I really do , I’m trying to just accept it now as it’s not going away but it’s hard not to let it take over your life . I’m just trying to do all the things I used to do & praying that I will habituate in time like other people I know who have had it for years .

Catlioness41 profile image
Catlioness41 in reply to Yogachamp

I thought I was doing really well and had habituated, but about 5 weeks ago it spiked and has stayed that way. Yesterday it was so loud that I could hear it above everything. In the car on the way home from coffee with a friend I turned my music up really loud to drown it out and sang at the top of my voice. It was either that or scream. The weird thing was that I felt a tickling sensation in my ears and for two minutes I had silence. I turned everything off to make sure. I cannot tell you the relief I felt for that very short period of time. However it then came back. Odd though. Hope you have a great weekend

Yogachamp profile image
Yogachamp in reply to Catlioness41

Oh I know exactly what you mean , I have days when it’s the background & I cope , then days when it’s so loud you wander how you manage. I do sleep OK now which is a bonus . You too try have a good weekend x

Suz_2 profile image
Suz_2 in reply to Yogachamp

hi - I am scared to have booster as well because my tinnitus is reactive and reacts to sounds and anything going on in the brain - emotions, anxiety even dreams push it up - so I do think i would have bad reaction to booster , although I had 2 AZ vaccs last yr , but those were before theT started - coz it started after a head concussion. I just had to trust my intuition on this as I have arranged numerous booster appointments then cancelled these.

Yogachamp profile image
Yogachamp in reply to Suz_2

Yes Suz

I too believe mine to be reactive like you

So I won’t be having the booster , I’m supposed to be going to Australia later this year though & worried I may not be allowed to go , I will see if I can get a letter from my doctor of exemption if they will give me one I don’t know . Any noise seems to trigger mine to up the volume it’s so weird .

Graham-E profile image
Graham-E

For myself I have not had any change in my T with any of my four vaccinations.(The first and second Covid, seasonal flu and now the booster vaccination)

My T is super loud, 24 x 7 always the same but appearing much louder when tired and stressed. Colds do make it worse so if your body is stimulated to creating antibodies then for a time it may appear louder for some. I’m guessing Covid could make it worse.

Hope this is helpful to reassure anyone concerned about getting the vaccine and suffering from T.

On a personal extra note my T started with a nasty flu virus (guessing it was a virus and not bacteria) many years ago.

The illness not only produced T in a couple of weeks that never went away, it also took my sense of smell and taste.

It feels similar to how Covid has been reported for some.

I mention this because 7 or 8 years ago I did not have flu jabs. Thought other people had flu, not me! Personally if going back and taking the flu jab would have meant I never knew what living with T is like, just for a day, then of course I would.

This is really speculative but I never hesitate on any vaccines because of my experience.

Best Graham

Tricky_Dicky profile image
Tricky_Dicky in reply to Graham-E

Mine started after having a severe strep chest infection. Reading your comment made me realise the possibility of a link which my doctor said was unlikely.

Graham-E profile image
Graham-E in reply to Tricky_Dicky

Honestly I don’t know but my terrible head/flu thing made me feel terrible at the time. I had an immediate constant burnt smell and hearing loss during the flu ‘thing’. After two or three weeks of being blocked up ‘in my head’ that is when my T started one morning. Like a switch turning on. At the same time I lost my sense of smell and taste completely. In all these years it’s never returned. I’d hoped that maybe there would be some research now with people noticing this as a sign for Covid. I also had a chest infection over that time all those years ago.To me the loss of sense of smell and taste is nothing to the monster of ‘T’ that lives in my head. 24x7x365 it never ever stops. Screaming so loud like jet engine.

I hate that people don’t know about it and treat you as if nothing is wrong. I dislike my combination hearing aides that play sounds all day because I really don’t like the fact that distraction is all I have.

I can’t drink as that makes is worse.

People were telling me of dry January and I was getting upset over the holidays.

I’ve had a dry 8 years and even if I wanted to I can’t enjoy as I cannot taste it.

The invisible unseen monster seems to win every time.

Sorry for rambling, it’s not been a good day. A simple headache is magnified for me and I can never rest or experienced peace. Thanks for your reply.

All the best Graham.

Tricky_Dicky profile image
Tricky_Dicky in reply to Graham-E

I guess I had come on here hoping that there were some exciting medical developments rather than the current ‘distraction’ methods, but by the sounds of it that sadly doesn’t seem to be the case. Here’s hoping something turns up soon! 🤞

Graham-E profile image
Graham-E in reply to Tricky_Dicky

My sound machine and pillow with speakers is super helpful at night. In the day I have my combination hearing aides so in some way I feel lucky.I mean I might have to face all this with nothing in other parts of the world.

People say you can normalise after a few years and I’ve heard people say they can do that.

I haven’t but you never know.

I have to keep hoping that maybe tomorrow there might be a break through.

All the best.

Philip6 profile image
Philip6

I had no side affects whatsoever with the booster.

Catlioness41 profile image
Catlioness41

Hi, I can only comment on my own personal experience. I like you have ended up with constant tinnitus since having my first two vaccines, I have posted on this site about it all. I have made the personal choice to have no booster and no further vaccines , because the consultant at the hospital who I spoke to could not assure me that a third vaccine would not aggravate my already very loud tinnitus that I have had since April. I think all we can do, is make the choices that we feel are right for us.

Rejuven77 profile image
Rejuven77 in reply to Catlioness41

Thank you for your reply. I think, I too, have now made the decision not to have the booster as this will also wane in time and then we may be offered a 4th and so on ...

doglover1973 profile image
doglover1973 in reply to Catlioness41

Thanks for sharing your story Catlioness41 . You helped me decide not to have the booster - which I believe is the right choice for me 🙂

Tricky_Dicky profile image
Tricky_Dicky

My T is notably worse after my booster. I never thought to associate the two, but that would explain a lot and this notable increase is what prompted me to join this group.

Gregoria profile image
Gregoria

I've suffered two bouts of vertigo after having my second and third boosters but about a month after each. I'd never suffered from it before.

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