Are your ears ringing? Experts are studying whether it's linked to COVID or the vaccine.
Thousands of people have reported ringing in the ears, called tinnitus, after receiving the vaccine, and researchers are exploring whether there’s a link.
As of April 14, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has received 16,500 complaints of tinnitus after people were vaccinated against COVID-19, according to its Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System.
The condition has also been reported as a symptom of long COVID. Experts have said hearing loss can be caused by the immune system's inflammatory response to fight a illness, drugs to treat the illness or cell damage.
While the CDC says it has found no link between tinnitus and a COVID infection or vaccination, scientists are investigating the anecdotal reports.
“Tinnitus is a prominent symptom in many people with long COVID and in those with vaccine-associated conditions,” said Dr. Harlan Krumholz, director of Yale University’s Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation and a cardiologist.
Krumholz is among the researchers who is looking into tinnitus as part of the ongoing LISTEN study of long COVID patients and post-vaccine adverse events.
“We are seeking to bring together many people with this symptom and hope we can learn together what might be the cause – on the path toward evidence-based strategies to help these people," he said.
His team is still in the process of analyzing the data. Here's what we know about tinnitus and COVID-19.
More: Long COVID has some weird symptoms. Face blindness may be one them.
What is tinnitus?
Often described as ringing in the ears, tinnitus can also cause rhythmic pulsing or “phantom” sounds like whistling, buzzing or clicking.
It can have numerous causes, from noise exposure to underlying conditions like inner ear disorders, age-related hearing loss, circulatory disorders, or head, neck or ear injury, according to Mayo Clinic.
Tinnitus is fairly common, affecting up to 25% of people and is most common in older adults, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Some cases can be severe and interfere with daily life. Treatment depends on the underlying cause, but there is no specific medication. Treatment can include sound therapy and hearing aids. Addressing the underlying cause can reduce symptoms, which can persist for months or years.
‘We are only beginning to know what it is’: Why doctors struggle to identify treatments for long COVID
Is the COVID vaccine linked to tinnitus?
Despite the complaints of tinnitus among people who were vaccinated, the CDC told USA TODAY that tinnitus is a common condition and can have multiple causes.
"Currently, the information from vaccine safety monitoring systems does not suggest a link between COVID-19 vaccination and tinnitus. CDC will continue to monitor the safety of COVID-19 vaccines and continue to evaluate the outcome of tinnitus as additional data are collected," according to a statement from the agency.
Researchers of an analysis published last year in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery studied 555 reports to the CDC of sensorineural hearing loss, or sudden hearing loss that develops within three days, after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, as well as 21 patient cases. The team didn’t find a statistically significant association that would suggest it’s a risk in the general population.
Another study published in the American Journal of Otolaryngology also found similar proportions of patients to the general population.
What to do if you're experiencing tinnitus
If you have tinnitus and find difficulty sleeping, experts suggest white noise machine or other soft sound to distract from the ringing.
Over time, loud noises can damage hearing and cause tinnitus. Experts recommend wearing over-the-ear protection if you work in a loud environment such as with loud machinery.
Mayo Clinic also suggests limiting alcohol and caffeine, which "can affect blood flow and contribute to tinnitus."
Talk with your doctor about certain drugs, such as aspirin, antibiotics and cancer drugs, which can also contribute to the condition, according to Harvard Health.
Schedule an appointment with your doctor to evaluate your hearing.
Find a tinnitus support group near you through the American Tinnitus Association.
Dig Deeper
What does long COVID do to kids? What we've learned after a year of research.
Does COVID during pregnancy lead to developmental problems in babies?
Reach Nada Hassanein at nhassanein@usatoday.com or on Twitter @nhassanein_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tinnitus and COVID vaccine: Link, symptoms, treatment explained
