Impact of COVID-19 vaccination on tinnitus onset and severity: a comprehensive survey study
PurposeThe primary objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of tinnitus related to COVID-19 vaccination. Specifically, we aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 vaccination on the onset and severity of tinnitus, including changes in loudness, pitch, anxiety, and...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Audiology and Otology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fauot.2025.1509444/full |
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| author | Anusha Yellamsetty Egbe-Etu Etu Shaowen Bao |
| author_facet | Anusha Yellamsetty Egbe-Etu Etu Shaowen Bao |
| author_sort | Anusha Yellamsetty |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | PurposeThe primary objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of tinnitus related to COVID-19 vaccination. Specifically, we aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 vaccination on the onset and severity of tinnitus, including changes in loudness, pitch, anxiety, and speech perception. Additionally, we sought to identify potential risk factors associated with new-onset tinnitus and the exacerbation of pre-existing symptoms.DesignA comprehensive survey was administered to 372 individuals who reported new-onset tinnitus or worsening of pre-existing tinnitus following COVID-19 vaccination. Data on tinnitus characteristics before and after COVID-19 vaccination were collected. The survey documented pre-existing medical conditions, and changes in tinnitus loudness, pitch, and related anxiety. Respondents were divided into two groups: those with pre-existing tinnitus and those with new-onset tinnitus following vaccination. Statistical analyses were conducted to compare changes across these groups and to explore associations with vaccine type (mRNA vs. non-mRNA) and pre-existing medical conditions.ResultsOf the respondents, 53% with pre-existing tinnitus reported worsened symptoms following vaccination, with significant increases in loudness, pitch, and anxiety. Additionally, 47% of respondents developed new-onset tinnitus, with this group reporting higher severity and anxiety levels compared to those with pre-existing tinnitus. There was no significant difference in tinnitus onset latency between mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) and non-mRNA vaccines (Johnson & Johnson). Pandemic-related anxiety was identified as a contributing factor to the exacerbation of tinnitus symptoms.ConclusionsThe results indicate that COVID-19 vaccination is associated with an increased risk of both new-onset tinnitus and worsening pre-existing tinnitus. Significant increases in tinnitus loudness, pitch, and anxiety post-vaccination, along with challenges in speech perception, emphasize the need for further research into the auditory effects of COVID-19 vaccination. Identifying risk factors, such as underlying health conditions and psychological stress, will be crucial in developing strategies for the management and treatment of tinnitus in vaccinated individuals. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-37ea0294c6b84d81b6afd0ebc3f4a027 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2813-6055 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Audiology and Otology |
| spelling | doaj-art-37ea0294c6b84d81b6afd0ebc3f4a0272025-02-07T06:49:45ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Audiology and Otology2813-60552025-02-01310.3389/fauot.2025.15094441509444Impact of COVID-19 vaccination on tinnitus onset and severity: a comprehensive survey studyAnusha Yellamsetty0Egbe-Etu Etu1Shaowen Bao2Department of Audiology, San José State University, San José, CA, United StatesDepartment of Marketing and Business Analytics, San Josè State University, San José, CA, United StatesDepartment of Physiology and Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United StatesPurposeThe primary objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of tinnitus related to COVID-19 vaccination. Specifically, we aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 vaccination on the onset and severity of tinnitus, including changes in loudness, pitch, anxiety, and speech perception. Additionally, we sought to identify potential risk factors associated with new-onset tinnitus and the exacerbation of pre-existing symptoms.DesignA comprehensive survey was administered to 372 individuals who reported new-onset tinnitus or worsening of pre-existing tinnitus following COVID-19 vaccination. Data on tinnitus characteristics before and after COVID-19 vaccination were collected. The survey documented pre-existing medical conditions, and changes in tinnitus loudness, pitch, and related anxiety. Respondents were divided into two groups: those with pre-existing tinnitus and those with new-onset tinnitus following vaccination. Statistical analyses were conducted to compare changes across these groups and to explore associations with vaccine type (mRNA vs. non-mRNA) and pre-existing medical conditions.ResultsOf the respondents, 53% with pre-existing tinnitus reported worsened symptoms following vaccination, with significant increases in loudness, pitch, and anxiety. Additionally, 47% of respondents developed new-onset tinnitus, with this group reporting higher severity and anxiety levels compared to those with pre-existing tinnitus. There was no significant difference in tinnitus onset latency between mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) and non-mRNA vaccines (Johnson & Johnson). Pandemic-related anxiety was identified as a contributing factor to the exacerbation of tinnitus symptoms.ConclusionsThe results indicate that COVID-19 vaccination is associated with an increased risk of both new-onset tinnitus and worsening pre-existing tinnitus. Significant increases in tinnitus loudness, pitch, and anxiety post-vaccination, along with challenges in speech perception, emphasize the need for further research into the auditory effects of COVID-19 vaccination. Identifying risk factors, such as underlying health conditions and psychological stress, will be crucial in developing strategies for the management and treatment of tinnitus in vaccinated individuals.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fauot.2025.1509444/fulltinnitusCOVID-19 vaccinationpre-existing tinnitusnew-onset tinnitusauditory symptomsloudness |
| spellingShingle | Anusha Yellamsetty Egbe-Etu Etu Shaowen Bao Impact of COVID-19 vaccination on tinnitus onset and severity: a comprehensive survey study Frontiers in Audiology and Otology tinnitus COVID-19 vaccination pre-existing tinnitus new-onset tinnitus auditory symptoms loudness |
| title | Impact of COVID-19 vaccination on tinnitus onset and severity: a comprehensive survey study |
| title_full | Impact of COVID-19 vaccination on tinnitus onset and severity: a comprehensive survey study |
| title_fullStr | Impact of COVID-19 vaccination on tinnitus onset and severity: a comprehensive survey study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impact of COVID-19 vaccination on tinnitus onset and severity: a comprehensive survey study |
| title_short | Impact of COVID-19 vaccination on tinnitus onset and severity: a comprehensive survey study |
| title_sort | impact of covid 19 vaccination on tinnitus onset and severity a comprehensive survey study |
| topic | tinnitus COVID-19 vaccination pre-existing tinnitus new-onset tinnitus auditory symptoms loudness |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fauot.2025.1509444/full |
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