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Tinnitus cases after COVID-19 vaccine administration, one institution's observations
Doris Lin1, Anne Morgan Selleck1
1University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 170 Manning Drive, Campus Box 7070, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7070, United States of America.
Insights
This study found no definitive link between COVID-19 vaccines and tinnitus. Healthcare providers should evaluate new tinnitus cases promptly with audiometry and specialist referral.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Vaccinology
- Audiology
Background:
- Reports of tinnitus following COVID-19 vaccination have increased.
- This study examines institutional experience with vaccine-associated tinnitus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential correlation between COVID-19 vaccination and the onset of tinnitus.
- To analyze patient outcomes and management strategies for tinnitus after vaccination.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with tinnitus post-COVID-19 vaccination.
- Inclusion criteria: vaccination between 12/1/2020-12/31/21, tinnitus diagnosis, audiogram, and otolaryngology visit.
- Data collected on patient demographics, vaccine type, and treatment interventions.
Main Results:
- Twenty-seven patients met the inclusion criteria out of 1254 identified.
- Patient age range: 41-84 years; 7 males, 20 females.
- Vaccine types: Pfizer (16), Moderna (7), Janssen (4).
Conclusions:
- No definitive correlation was established between COVID-19 vaccines and tinnitus.
- Sudden hearing loss concurrent with tinnitus should be treated with steroids.
- Prompt audiogram and otolaryngology evaluation are recommended for new-onset tinnitus.
Objective:
After the role out of the COVID-19 vaccine in the United States, there has been increase in case reports of tinnitus attributed to the vaccine reported. We present our institution's experience over the initial 13 month period the vaccines were available.
Study Design:
Retrospective chart review.
Setting:
Tertiary academic otology and general otolaryngology practice.
Patients:
Patients who received a COVID-19 vaccine and a tinnitus diagnosis code.
Interventions:
Observation, steroids (oral and intratympanic), diagnostic imaging and audiometry.
Main Outcome Measures:
Patients who received a COVID-19 vaccine in the time frame of 12/1/2020-12/31/21 with a diagnosis of tinnitus, an audiogram, and at least one visit with one of our Otolaryngologists were included in the study. Twenty-seven of the 1254 patients identified met these criteria. The patients ranged in age from 41 to 84 years old including seven male and twenty female patients. Sixteen received the Pfizer vaccine, seven received the Moderna vaccine and four patients received the Janssen vaccine.
Conclusions:
No definite correlation could be established between COVID-19 vaccine and tinnitus. Any concurrent sudden hearing loss should be treated as usual with oral or intratympanic steroids. Health care providers should be aware of the tinnitus onset and if new or recent onset, to refer for prompt audiogram and Otolaryngology evaluation.
