Covid makes “this noise in the head and ears” worse: tinnitus...

London, November 6th (IANS) Researchers have found that tinnitus, a common condition that causes the perception of noise in the ear and head, is exacerbated by Covid-19 and measures taken to contain its spread.

The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health, enrolled 3,103 participants from 48 countries, with the vast majority from the UK and US.

“We found that 40 percent of those who show symptoms of Covid-19 experience a worsening of their tinnitus at the same time,” according to the authors of the study from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in Great Britain.

Although the study focused on people with pre-existing tinnitus, a small number of participants also reported that their condition was initially triggered by developing Covid-19 symptoms, suggesting that tinnitus could be a “long covid” in some cases. Could be a symptom.

The study also found that a large proportion of people believed their tinnitus was made worse by social distancing measures that were put in place to control the spread of the virus.

These measures have resulted in significant changes in work and lifestyle routines.

UK respondents said this was a bigger problem compared to people from other countries. Forty-six percent of UK respondents said lifestyle changes had a negative impact on their tinnitus, compared to 29 percent in North America.

Women and those under 50 found tinnitus significantly more bothersome during the pandemic.

The study found that the Covid-19 pandemic not only increased the severity of tinnitus symptoms, it also made it difficult to access medical assistance for the condition.

This could further increase the emotional burden and worsen tinnitus symptoms, creating a vicious circle.

The results highlight the complexities associated with the onset of tinnitus and how both internal factors such as increased anxiety and feelings of loneliness and external factors such as changes in daily routine can have a significant impact on the condition.

“Some of the changes brought about by Covid-19 appear to have negatively impacted the lives of people with tinnitus, and participants in this study reported that symptoms of Covid-19 worsened or, in some cases, even caused tinnitus and hearing loss”, wrote the researchers.

“This is something that both clinical and support services need to look closely at,” they noted.

– IANS

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