Tinnitus and COVID-19: effect of infection, vaccination, and the pandemic

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected hearing health, with infection and medications reported as potential risk factors for tinnitus onset. Tinnitus has also been noted as a long COVID symptom and, in some cases, after COVID-19 vaccination. With most reports focusing on clinical populations, this study investigated how self-reported tinnitus onset is associated with COVID-19 infection, long COVID, and vaccination in the general population, while accounting for otologic and psychological symptoms. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey including demographic questions, tinnitus/hearing loss/hyperacusis/emotional status, and the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) was conducted. Results: Completed data from 1,511 respondents who reported having tinnitus or believed they had COVID-associated tinnitus were analyzed. Respondents were categorized based on their judgment of tinnitus etiology into four groups: (1) COVID infection, (2) long COVID, (3) COVID vaccination, and (4) pre-existing tinnitus. Tinnitus severity (TFI) was significantly lower in the pre-existing tinnitus group than in any COVID-associated tinnitus group. Across COVID-associated groups, varying factors contributed to tinnitus severity; overall, depression and/or anxiety accounted for the most variance in predicting tinnitus severity. Discussion: Findings underscore the need to evaluate otologic and psychological symptoms in individuals with COVID-associated tinnitus to enable better patient-centered care.

Yihsin Tai, Namitha Jain, Gibbeum Kim, Fatima T. Husain