Can COVID-19 Cause Tinnitus? I Also Have Dizziness

[rbro11]

Hi all,

I had COVID-19 mid October and I was fully recovered, having no issues, for over 2 months before a slight dizziness/nausea returned. A month later I experienced spells of minor ringing for 5 seconds for a week in my right ear (normal other than the number of times). I then had one of those spells occur where after the initial loud ringing, a minor one remained in my right ear.

A week before this I had been cleaning my ears with q-tips and I do generally produce a lot of earwax. I went to a walk in clinic who saw the blockage in my right ear and flushed out a big ball of wax. I then used Ciprofloxacin Dexamethasone for a week and saw my right ear improve but I also started getting that static ringing in my left ear.

I went to an ENT last week who didn't see any issues with the inner or middle ear and my audiogram was fine. He did not believe that the tinnitus was caused by COVID-19 but that my dizziness was; he let me know to give it at least 3 months and both the tinnitus and dizziness will improve.

My questions are:

(1) Is it known if COVID-19 can cause tinnitus?

(2) Is it too early to worry about this being a chronic issue?

I started taking Lexapro the morning after the ringing persisted as I deal with stress and anxiety; my doctor had finally prescribed and recommended it for me.

I know this is a lot but any responses would be appreciated!

 

[ajc]

(1) Is it known if COVID-19 can cause tinnitus?

Some people have joined this forum saying they got tinnitus from COVID-19.

This person in this case study also got sudden hearing loss and tinnitus from COVID-19.

(2) Is it too early to worry about this being a chronic issue?

Way too early. At 12 months if it's not gone away or improved, then you just will have to learn to live with it until other solutions come available.

 

[DebInAustralia]

Ciprofloxacin caused my tinnitus and hyperacusis.

 

[S J]

I am here searching for similar cases of Covid-onset tinnitus, as mine and many others that I've corresponded with began having tinnitus with or shortly after a covid infection. Is there a particular forum or thread for these cases?

 

[HeavyMantra]

According to the Audiology wing in the largest hospital in my country, they've seen many people getting tinnitus from COVID-19. I don't know more than that.

Myself, I got 2 new intrusive tinnitus sounds from it that are still here 3-4 months later.

 

[AliasM]

I have read a lot of people say they got tinnitus after COVID-19.

 

[Lane]

I then used Ciprofloxacin

@rbro11 -- Sorry to hear about your tinnitus. -- I would strongly suggest you do extensive research on fluoroquinolone antibiotics before ever using one again. Results from using them can be catastrophic. Thousands of people on forums who've been "floxed" can attest to their debilitating "side effects". Many brands have already been taken off the market. The others should be banned except for exceptional circumstances.