What Is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the perception of sound when no actual external noise is present. Most people refer to it as “ringing in the ears.” According to the American Tinnitus Association, this condition may sound like many different things. People report buzzing, hissing, whistling, roaring, whooshing, and clicking. It can be a temporary or ongoing issue.
Tinnitus is not a disease but a symptom of another underlying health condition. In most cases, it is a sensory reaction in the brain due to damage to the ear and the hearing system. While tinnitus is often associated with hearing loss, there are roughly 200 health conditions with tinnitus as an underlying symptom.
Is There a Connection Between Tinnitus and COVID-19?
Many COVID-19 patients report tinnitus. A 2021 systematic review estimated that 14.8% of people who developed the virus experienced this condition as a symptom. The reason why COVID-19 may lead to tinnitus is still largely unknown. However, it is generally believed to be caused by damage or inflammation in the inner ear. This may happen due to a viral infection or the body’s immune response.
Having COVID-19 may also make pre-existing tinnitus worse for some people. In a study published in Frontiers in Public Health, the authors surveyed 3,103 people with pre-existing tinnitus from 48 countries worldwide. COVID-19 symptoms aggravated tinnitus in 40% of respondents. For many participants, pandemic-related issues, such as financial concerns, reduced activity, loneliness, and poor sleep, worsened tinnitus symptoms .
Is It Possible to Remove the Noise and Improve Auditory Perception?
Tinnitus can significantly affect auditory perception and quality of life, but various treatment options exist to reduce the noise and improve hearing. The effectiveness of these approaches depends on individual factors and the underlying causes of tinnitus. Below, we explore several methods to manage or alleviate tinnitus symptoms and enhance auditory experience.
Hearing Aids
Hearing aids can sometimes influence tinnitus perception, but their effects vary. While many find relief, sometimes tinnitus worsens due to the amplification of sounds within the ear canal. Proper fitting and tuning of hearing aids are crucial to avoid increasing the perception of ringing or buzzing sounds. For individuals struggling with tinnitus, hearing aids may improve overall auditory clarity but must be managed carefully to prevent exacerbating symptoms.
Sound Maskers/Therapies
Sound maskers and sound therapy are commonly used to manage chronic tinnitus and other auditory symptoms. Devices like white noise machines produce consistent, soothing background sounds that can mask tinnitus and reduce the intrusive perception of a ringing sound. However, exposure to very loud noise during therapy sessions should be avoided to prevent further damage. Sound therapies aim to balance auditory input, helping the brain to focus less on the tinnitus and more on external sounds.
Behavioral Therapies
Behavioral therapies address the subjective nature of this condition by targeting tinnitus distress rather than the occurrence itself. These approaches often consider environmental factors that may worsen symptoms and focus on retraining the auditory system to reduce the emotional and psychological impact. Since tinnitus is highly individual, behavioral therapies help patients develop coping strategies and improve their quality of life despite persistent auditory noise.
TMJ Treatments
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders are sometimes linked to sudden hearing loss and tinnitus-related symptoms, particularly when these symptoms affect one ear. Many case reports and other clinical studies have shown statistically significant improvements in tinnitus after TMJ treatment. Managing TMJ issues may reduce pressure and muscle tension contributing to auditory disturbances, offering relief for patients with tinnitus connected to jaw dysfunction.
Changes in Medication for People Experiencing Tinnitus
Adjusting medications can influence tinnitus severity, especially when this condition is a possible symptom or side effect of a drug. Many patients report bothersome tinnitus that improves when the causative medication is altered or discontinued. Since other symptoms vary widely, any changes should be supervised by a healthcare professional to ensure that tinnitus is not worsened while addressing the primary condition.
Treatment of the Underlying Medical Condition
Addressing the underlying medical condition is essential when tinnitus exacerbation accompanies other neurological symptoms. Autoimmune diseases, for instance, may contribute to worsening tinnitus, and treatment targeting these disorders can provide relief. In some cases, coronavirus disease has also been associated with increased tinnitus severity, highlighting the importance of comprehensive medical evaluation and management to improve auditory health.
How Is Tinnitus Diagnosed?
Diagnosing this condition involves a comprehensive evaluation to understand the tinnitus occurrence and its impact on the patient’s daily life. One commonly used tool is the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, which helps measure the severity and effect of tinnitus on communication and quality of life. During the assessment, patients may be asked which ear is affected, whether it is the left ear, right ear, or both, as tinnitus can present differently depending on the side.
A thorough physical examination often includes an inspection of the middle ear and eustachian tubes to identify any abnormalities that might contribute to tinnitus. Doctors also screen for additional symptoms, such as equilibrium disorders or other communication disorders that can be related to auditory dysfunction. Patients sometimes report loud tinnitus, which requires careful evaluation to rule out underlying conditions.
Neurological manifestations are also considered, especially if preliminary results suggest that tinnitus may be linked to nerve or brain function. Risk factors, such as recent COVID vaccination, are sometimes discussed, as emerging data explores possible associations with tinnitus occurrence after immunization. Overall, diagnosing this condition requires a multidisciplinary approach to differentiate between tinnitus and other forms of auditory or systemic issues.
COVID-19 and Hearing Loss
An emerging area of research is whether hearing loss can result from COVID-19 and its variants. In a systematic review in 2021 led by Ibrahim Almufarrij, an estimated 7.6% of people who developed COVID-19 reported hearing loss. These individuals stated the difficulties were not part of the initial onset of symptoms but developed days to weeks later.
With the newer variants of COVID-19, such as the Delta and Omicron, the symptoms reported are possibly linked to upper respiratory issues. Doctors claim that these variants are putting more pressure on the ears. In some cases, they even result in sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Extra pressure can cause ear infections, ear pain, congestion, and temporary hearing loss.
COVID-19 and Vertigo
The inner ear is commonly known for our sense of hearing. However, it also includes the vestibular system (responsible for balance). The vestibular system is located in the inner ear, right next to the sensory organ for hearing. It provides our brain with information about motion, head position, and spatial orientation. The vestibular system is also involved in motor functions that allow us to keep our balance, stabilize our head and body during movement, and maintain posture. Thus, it is essential for normal movement and equilibrium.
A study by Almufarrij and Munro (2021) showed that 7.2% of people who developed COVID-19 reported dizziness and rotary vertigo. There seemed to be no predictable pattern for when or why someone might be experiencing this symptom.
Contact Us for Professional Treatment of Hearing Loss, Tinnitus, Ear Infection, and Ear Pain
Stress from the pandemic may aggravate existing tinnitus, but seeking support can help. At Texas Sinus & Snoring, our team can assist with managing your tinnitus and hearing difficulties during these stressful times.
If you or your loved one is experiencing any of the discussed symptoms, early detection and treatment are key. Schedule an appointment with our audiologist, Dr. Reyes, so that we can assist immediately.
The Bottom Line
How the virus leads to tinnitus, hearing loss, and dizziness is still unknown. More research is needed to discover why these symptoms may occur in people diagnosed with COVID-19. However, current explanations link tinnitus, hearing loss, and vertigo to problems with the inner ear. Damage or inflammation in the inner ear system is directly related to the viral infection or the effects of the body’s immune system response.
While scientists and medical experts have learned so much about COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, and COVID-19 variants, ongoing research is needed to fully understand how the hearing and balance systems are truly affected.
References
- Almufarrij, I., & Munro, K. J. (2021). One year on: An updated systematic review of SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 and audio-vestibular symptoms. International Journal of Audiology, 60(12), 935–945. https://doi.org/10.1080/
14992027.2021.1896793 - Beukes, E. W., Baguley, D. M., Jacquemin, L., Lourenco, M. P. C. G., Allen, P. M., Onozuka, J., Stockdale, D., Kaldo, V., Andersson, G., & Manchaiah, V. (2020). Changes in tinnitus experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Public Health, 8, 592878. https://doi.org/10.3389/
fpubh.2020.592878
