Tinnitus as a long term symptom following Covid

[Fletch]

Has anyone else had Covid and got tinnitus as a long term symptom which has followed? It sounds bizarre I know, but I had Coronavirus back in February and have had the most horrendous tinnitus ever since. I hadn't connected the two until I read an article in The Independent about strange symptoms that the media aren't covering and tinnitus is one of them. I can't cope with it at all. I just can't sleep

[Reader101]

Hi I went through a very difficult time with tinnitus which I got from a medication. Playing a noise of a similar sound ( for me it was crickets) at night helped me to sleep. I saw a specialist who advised me that most cases of tinnitus resolve within the first 24 months. Mine did resolve. However I have to be extremely careful about medications. Outside of meds, I still get short episodes of tinnitus from time to time, but it’s not as frightening because it settles down. Hope this helps

[Fletch in reply to Reader101]

Thankyou. Yes, I have the Headspace app and I listen to "boat engine" on repeat! 🤣 It's funny, the things that settle us!

[Jimmuck]

Hi Fletch. Getting Coronavirus is bad enough but to end up with tinnitus after it must be horrendous. It can be a debilitating condition but there are lots of ways to cope with it, to let you lead a normal life. It may seem almost impossible to do right now but try and relax and keep calm as tinnitus feeds on anxiety and stress. There are hundreds of posts on here about the various coping strategies we all have and I am sure if you troll through them, you will find loads of advice, hints and tips to help you. If Corona caused your tinnitus, you might well find it will go as soon as it came once your system gets back to normal and I hope that is the case. I hope you find some peace soon.

[Fletch in reply to Jimmuck]

Thankyou so much. The Covid wasn't too bad fortunately. I was one of the lucky ones. Only quite mild symptoms, the main one being utter exhaustion. I got over it in about 8 days and then the tinnitus attacked. So, so strange. There's so much we don't know about this virus. It's have indeed scrolled through lots of posts on here to get tips and am finding it helpful. I just wanted to find out if anyone else had made this bizarre connection. Thankyou.

[jason6674 in reply to Fletch]

Hi fletch im going through the exact same thing I was 80% sure I got covid in April, I got all the symptoms apart from the cough, I also got ringing in my ears, ive since been to the hospital and had a m.r.i scan and they have found white spots and legions on my brain im so scared ive got to see the nuragical specialist at hospital next week.

[SB7516]

Hi I believe I had COVID in April (can’t confirm as never had the test but had all the symptoms). Then I developed tinnitus after never having it before. I’ve had an MRI and it came back clear and the consultant thinks it’s a virus in my inner ear. I’ve had it for two months now and at one point it was was that distressing I couldn’t see a way forward. He had advised that i should give it another three months and it should pass! I also have an elevated heart rate and am due to have an ECG this week. It’s seems to be too much of a coincidence not to be related to COVID but the medical profession don’t seem to know too much about the side effects of the virus. As you say the lack of sleep is the worse. I hope you feel better soon

[Fletch in reply to SB7516]

I'm with you... it is too much of a coincidence. It literally started overnight in the days I started getting over Covid. Bam. Just like that, out of nowhere. Similarly, I also started getting arthritis type pain in both of my hands. Nothing like this has ever happened before. It's BIZARRE. There'sso much we don't know about Covid. I told my GP about my theory and I feel like he's humouring me ie, sending me for bloods, referring me to ENT, butI could tell he wasn't buying the Covid connection. Then again, GPS can't dispute it either. They know as much as us! And since I read about other people reporting strange symptoms it's just outlined how much we don't know about it. One things for sure, Tinnitus is torture. I hope it goes away

[Walt46]

I had a fever in January, it went but I was in hospital as lost 30% hearing in my right ear and I have had tinitus in the right side of my head ( not ear) 24/7 since. I can’t drown it out with white noise as it’s too load and also have a strange sensation on the right side of my head. Feel quite confused too recently amongst other symptoms. 2 MRI’s came back fine. I feel for you as I would give my right arm for it to go, I really would. I also have snowy vision which is bascically tinitus of the eye.

[TinnitusUKPat Partner]

Hi folks. As you know, covid-19 and what we understand about it changes all the time. We were made aware of a story running in today's Daily Mail prior to publication, so that we could prepare some guidance for our main website:

tinnitus.org.uk/blog/hearin...

There is some evidence, limited by sample size, that covid-19 may act in line with other viral illnesses in that it has the potential to affect hearing. We really don't know enough about this line of enquiry yet to draw any major conclusions from it, but we're keeping up to date with our health sector contacts to learn more.

[WYL88]

Hi Fletch, how's your tinnitus now? I Developed tinnitus, hyperacusis, visual snow, other vision problems along with endless symptoms after Covid. The neurologist said it's because of hypersensitivity. My case was mild (did not have to go to the hospital) and caught the virus in March. I am one of those Covid long haulers. So far, I have been to Acupuncture, Craniosacral therapy and Chiropractor. Not really getting better.

[Fletch in reply to WYL88]

It's slightly quieter but still very much present. I have an ENT hospital appointment in November to discuss more. Funny you should mention your sight as my sight has deteriorated too. I only ever used to wear glasses for night time driving and I now have to wear them constantly. Again, it's not a connection I'd naturally made to Covid but, here we are. I also mentioned in an earlier post that I had very sore joints and I've now been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Whether it is that or "long covid" I don't know. All I know is, 7, nearly 8 months on and I feel like sh!*

[WYL88 in reply to Fletch]

Any tips that you have been following to make it quieter? Definitelty Covid related. Yah weirdly people who got Covid from March and April they tend to have long covid. I get you, my body is aching every day for no reason. How was your ENT appointment? I really hope this is all just a matter of time and temporary.

[SB7516]

Hi Fletch, I too got Covid in April. I was bed ridden for a week and was left with fatigue ( which I’ve still got) and tinnitus. I’ve never had any problems before with my ears and hearing. I paid to go private to see an ENT specialist and get an MRI through my works medical insurance. He reckoned that it was a virus attacking the auditory nerve. He couldn’t confirm it was COVID related as there was not enough information at the time. Since then I have read a few interesting articles on the symptoms of long Covid and having ear problems is one of them. I now have a constant ringing/hissing noise in my left ear which can also start to loudly vibrate for days at a time and any outside noise makes it worse. Unfortunately I think the damage is now done and it’s something I’ll have to live with even though that is challenging. Fortunately I was put on steroids at the start which was to try and save my hearing and following an appointment to the audiologist earlier this month it did. Good luck with it all x

[WYL88]

Your ears vibrate and senstive to sounds too? I have the same problems going on along with visual snow too. What does your MRI scan say? Let me know any updates please.

[SB7516 in reply to WYL88]

MRI was clear. I find that when the vibrating starts I put wax ear plugs in (not too firmly) to dampen the external noise and that seems to help stop it getting worse. I’ve also started eating pumpkin seeds in my diet as they are full of magnesium which helps with muscle spasms. Still early days to see the success of this.

[WYL88 in reply to SB7516]

Mine vibrates most of the time. So I am learning how to live with it. If it gets so bad, I stay away from the sounds or cover my ears. But I will get some earplugs. Yah heard magnesium helps too. Currently, I am taking 600 mg of magnesium every day and have craniosacral therapy every other week. So far been to Acupuncture, ENT and Chiropractor. No improvements yet. How's it with you these days? I have other symptoms that I have developed too from long covid.

[SB7516 in reply to WYL88]

The tinnitus is 24/7 but the vibrating is not as often recently (probably jinxed it!). I think staying calm rather than panicking helps when it starts. Had a bad night Saturday with it but I think it’s because I over did the alcohol! Someone mentioned it was the ear drum vibrating? I’ve got an appointment in January with a T Specialist so will ask then.

Like you I’ve got other long term effects of Covid; eye sight has deteriorated, sense of smell and taste is not what it was and I suffer from fatigue from doing the slightest bit of exercise. I can’t see me ever running again that’s for sure as a walk to the shops tires me.

[WYL88 in reply to SB7516]

I stopped drinking and smoking since they are no good for my symptoms. Not sure where vibrating comes from but I can assume it's the eardrum too. But will ask my ENT I am seeing currently. Where is the place you are going to see a T specialist? Is it NHS or private? I have been doing Wim Hoff breathing method and meditation 3/4 times a week. Don't see significant improvements yet. Also been going to Craniosacral therapy every other week. Hoping T will get quieter soon. I have signed off from work at the moment because I have developed visual snow syndrome along with constant migraines and headaches in September and can't see good anymore. Like you, my smell and taste are not what it used to be (could smell only 10% if before covid was 100%) and I have sinus surgery next month. I can run a bit and do like short yoga sessions but also dealing with chronic fatigue and body aching all the time. My symptoms are endless.

[SB7516 in reply to WYL88]

Sounds like we are suffering similar symptoms, hopefully we will see some improvement too. Initially I saw an ENT privately who did an MRI. He said that it was a virus attacking my auditory nerve and inner ear and that it would probably be ok by November. It clearly isn’t and is now 24/7 with the hissing/ringing and intermittent vibe on some days. I had two hearing tests, one private one NHS (specsavers) both fine. The latter one wrote to my GP to refer me to a t specialist. My appointment in Jan is with a NHS ENT. I’m based in the West Midlands.

Is the craniosacral therapy on NHS? Is that helping? I unfortunately got made redundant in September, I think being off with the T issues didn’t help my case.

[WYL88 in reply to SB7516]

Sounds very similar to mine. Makes me feeling like I am not alone who have all sort of problems since Covid. I am going to have an MRI as well for my ears too. I have been experiencing vertigo, dizziness and balance problems since June.

The hearing tests came back normal and healthy (did it twice). My ENT assumed that Covid attacked my inner ear and the auditory system as well. Wish my GP could help me more like yours. She doesn't refer me to anyone. So I have to do everything privately. Thank god I have health insurance for this year.

No, the Craniosacral therapy is not on NHS. I pay £65 per session. Helps me to relax more for sure but my tinnitus is always fluctuating. Even morning, afternoon and evening aren't the same. So far no improvement yet.

I live in London and it's hard to get an appointment here. I am so sorry to hear about your redundancy. It must be hard for you to cope with everything that has been going on. Sending you lots of healing and positive thoughts for your recovery. I am sure you are gonna land another job easily once you are recovered. Meanwhile, stay positive and strong.

[SB7516 in reply to WYL88]

I was lucky that the GP I spoke to had an ENT background. I had to call every week and basically become a pain to get the upcoming referral, eventually it was pushed by Specsavers after my hearing test. Good luck with your MRI, not a pleasant experience, but hopefully it’ll show up nothing serious. Thanks for your kind words and I too wish you well and keep in touch with your progress.

[Billo1]

Hi Fletch, All, I also got T two months after Covid, which I contracted on 24th Dec last year. Not sure if T was a result of the virus itself or the stress caused by long Covid. I have been in full health until then. What a grim experience!

A couple of months ago I also started noticing spasms/twitches in my left ear (my T ear) , when I listen to people on my iPhone via loudspeaker or a projector (white noise) and strangely enough I also noticed this today when I stopped listening to some water noise (so lack of noise seems to have triggered it?). Spasms are from less than a second to a few seconds apart and settle quite quickly so only an annoyance at this stage...

I am in my 50s and have started overcoming the chronic fatigue now so this is one of the last symptoms of long COVID... I have been referred to the long covid clinic and should hear back soon hopefully. Specsavers found my hearing normal. In-depth ENT examination also expected soon. Can anyone share a similar experience? Any pointers? Thank you .