There have been reports of people experiencing tinnitus, a ringing in one or both ears, shortly after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. While the risk appears to be low, some studies have identified a possible link between the vaccine and tinnitus. However, more data is needed to determine if tinnitus is a possible side effect of the vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is currently investigating reports of vaccine-associated tinnitus but has stated that there does not appear to be a link between the two. Other vaccines, such as the flu shot, have been known to trigger tinnitus due to the inflammatory response invoked by vaccinations.
It is unclear whether the vaccine itself causes an inflammatory reaction in the body or if tinnitus occurs because a lot of people get vaccines and tinnitus is a common condition. About 10-15% of the population has tinnitus, and estimates suggest that 1% of the population can temporarily develop tinnitus in any given year. However, if you vaccinate a large percentage of the population, some people will develop tinnitus, and it is unclear if this is a vaccine side effect.
Hearing loss and tinnitus can be associated symptoms of COVID-19, but it is unclear if there is a causal relationship between the vaccine and tinnitus. More research is needed to understand if and how COVID-19 and the vaccines used to prevent the infection cause tinnitus before a causal relationship can be determined. Ruth Reisman, a certified audiologist, suspects that the pathophysiology may be similar with the vaccines, and just as some people developed fatigue or aches after being vaccinated, others may develop tinnitus.
In conclusion, while anecdotal reports suggest a possible link between the COVID-19 vaccine and tinnitus, more research is needed to determine whether there is a causal relationship between the two. It is important to note that tinnitus is a common condition and can occur for various reasons, and the risk of developing tinnitus after vaccination appears to be low. The CDC is continuing to investigate reports of vaccine-associated tinnitus and will report any findings.