Can Flu Shot Cause Ringing Ears

What Are The Benefits Of Flu Vaccination

There are many reasons to get an influenza vaccine each year. Below is a summary of the benefits of flu vaccination and selected scientific studies that support these benefits.

• Flu vaccination can keep you from getting sick with flu.

• Flu vaccination can reduce the risk of flu-associated hospitalization for children, working-age adults, and older adults.

• Flu vaccination is an important preventive tool for people with chronic health conditions.

• Flu vaccination has been associated with lower rates of some cardiac events among people with heart disease, especially among those who had had a cardiac event in the past year.

• Flu vaccination can reduce worsening and hospitalization for flu-related chronic lung disease, such as in persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

• Flu vaccination also has been shown in separate studies to be associated with reduced hospitalizations among people with diabetes and chronic lung disease.

• Flu vaccination helps protect women during and after pregnancy.

• Flu vaccines can be lifesaving in children.

• Flu vaccination has been shown in several studies to reduce the severity of illness in people who get vaccinated but still get sick.

The study finding links to support these findings can be found here:

Some People Should Not Get This Vaccine

Tell the person who gives you the vaccine:

• If you have any severe allergies. If you have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction after a dose of flu vaccine, or have a severe allergy to any part of this vaccine, you may be advised not to get a dose. Most, but not all, types of flu vaccine contain a small amount of egg.

• If you ever had Guillain-Barre Syndrome . Some people with a history of GBS should not get this vaccine. This should be discussed with your doctor.

• If you are not feeling well. They might suggest waiting until you feel better. But you should come back.

The Evidence Base Is Growing

Professor Kevin Munro and PhD researcher Ibrahim Almufarrij looked at 56 studies that linked COVID-19 to auditory problems, like loss of hearing and ringing in the ears.

They found that 7.6% of COVID patients experienced hearing loss, while 14.8% of them experienced tinnitus. A further 7.2% experienced vertigo, a loss of balance which occurs in people with ear damage.

In a separate study, Professor Munro found that over 13% of patients who were discharged from a hospital reported a change in their hearing. The team are conducting a long one-year study to further explore the link between COVID and ear damage.

Researcher Ibrahim Almufarrij explained: Though the evidence is of varying quality, more and more studies are being carried out so the evidence base is growing. What we really need are studies that compare COVID-19 cases with controls, such as patients admitted to hospital with other health conditions.

Though caution needs to be taken, we hope this study will add to the weight of scientific evidence that there is a strong association between Covid-19 and hearing problems.

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When Should I Get Vaccinated

• You should get a flu vaccine before flu viruses begins spreading in your community, since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against flu. Make plans to get vaccinated early in fall, before flu season begins. CDC recommends that people get a flu vaccine by the end of October. However, getting vaccinated early is likely to be associated with reduced protection against flu infection later in the flu season, particularly among older adults. Vaccination should continue to be offered throughout the flu season, even into January or later. Children who need two doses of vaccine to be protected should start the vaccination process sooner, because the two doses must be given at least four weeks apart.

Can You Get Covid

Its important to understand that you can NOT get COVID-19 from the vaccine. The side effects you may experience are not COVID related. What they are is a sign that your immune system is working and building defenses against the illness. It will take time for your body to build up that protection and if you receive a vaccine that requires 2 shots, it could take a couple of weeks after your second shot for that immunity to be complete.

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Many Things Can Cause Tinnitus

Even if there is a connection between COVID-19 and tinnitus, that still doesnt reveal the precise cause. Tinnitus could be an indirect consequence of the virus, Munro notes.

For example, treatment methods for the coronavirus, time spent in the hospital , being on oxygen, and other factors might play a role, Munro says.

And dont discount stress as a factor: Lost loved ones, unemployment, financial difficulties, and strained circumstances have transformed peoples lives during the pandemic.

We’re all a bit stressed and anxious and if you’re not sleeping well people will often report tinnitus, Munro says.

For people who already had tinnitus, getting COVID-19 might make the symptoms worse. A study published in Frontiers in Public Health surveyed more than 3,000 people with pre-existing tinnitus from 48 countries. Having COVID-19 symptoms exacerbated tinnitus in 40% of respondents, the study authors write. And for many respondents, pandemic-related issuessuch as financial concerns, reduced activity, and poor sleepworsened tinnitus symptoms.

Risks Of A Vaccine Reaction

With a vaccine, like any medicine, there is a chance of side effects. These are usually mild and go away on their own.

Serious side effects are also possible, but are very rare. Inactivated flu vaccine does not contain live flu virus, so getting the flu from this vaccine is not possible.

Brief fainting spells and related symptoms can happen after any medical procedure, including vaccination. Sitting or lying down for about 15 minutes after a vaccination can help prevent fainting and injuries caused by falls. Tell your doctor if you feel dizzy or light-headed, or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.

Mild problems following inactivated flu vaccine:

• soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given

• hoarseness

• sore, red or itchy eyes

• cough

• itching

• fatigue

If these problems occur, they usually begin soon after the shot and last 1 or 2 days.

Moderate problems following inactivated flu vaccine:

• Young children who get inactivated flu vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine at the same time may be at increased risk for seizures caused by fever. Ask your doctor for more information. Tell your doctor if a child who is getting flu vaccine has ever had a seizure.

Severe problems following inactivated flu vaccine:

The safety of vaccines is always being monitored. For more information, visit: www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/

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Vertigo Dizziness And Nausea After Covid Vaccine

In general, vertigo, dizziness and lightheadedness are considered a rather common side effect following the Covid-19 vaccine. However, very often the onset of these events following the administration of the vaccine is not directly related to it.

In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , many times dizziness after COVID-19 vaccination can occasionally be a symptom of an allergic reaction or an anxiety-related response, which often occurs after many different vaccines.

According to the aforementioned Covid-19 vaccine adverse reactions report, in UK out of 77.4 million doses administered the episodes of vertigo, dizziness and nausea related to the administration of the Covid 19 vaccine were:

• Vaxzevria : 2164

Treatment Options For Tinnitus

While tinnitus can cause depression or worse when left untreated, Dr. Sydlowski says there are ways to manage it. If you notice that youre having trouble with your hearing or balance, dont ignore whats going on. The sooner you reach out for help, the better. In fact, Dr. Sydlowski says sudden changes in your hearing should be considered a medical emergency and addressed immediately.

If you have a sudden change to your hearing loss, its really important to have it assessed correctly quickly because there is a window to potentially improve it. Your audiologist can refer you to an ENT physician who may prescribe steroids, which are not always effective, but the sooner we can manage it, the better the chances that we might be able to restore that sudden change. Most of the time, an inner ear hearing loss thats caused by circulatory problems, noise, aging or certain medications is usually permanent. But there is a small sub-segment of cases where we might be able to improve it.

The main thing to keep in mind with tinnitus is that no matter how frustrating it can be, there is help.

Dr. Sydlowski adds that an interdisciplinary team of specialists will often work together to find comprehensive solutions for the management of tinnitus.

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Hearing Aids Can Do Double Duty

Hearing aids may be the answer to tinnitus for people who have hearing loss.

By using hearing aids, you not only help reduce the awareness of the tinnitus, but you also improve your ability to hear as well, says Dr. Sandridge.

Some hearing aids have a built-in sound generator that produces ocean wave sounds or white or pink noise. These sounds provide relief by decreasing your awareness of the tinnitus by having your brain pay attention to the other neutral, non-threatening sounds. This promotes a process called habituation , which eventually will allow you to be aware of your tinnitus only when you actively listen for it.

In this case, the tinnitus is not gone, but you no longer pay attention to it unless you focus on it, she says. Our goal is to get you to the point where youre basically tuning the tinnitus out.

All in all, dont just wait and hope your tinnitus will go away. Talk to your primary care physician and audiologist if you notice ringing in your ears or other problems with your hearing. They can help you pinpoint your problem and help you find the relief you need.

Will There Be Flu Along With Covid

• While its not possible to say with certainty what will happen in the fall and winter, CDC believes its likely that flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 will both be spreading. In this context, getting a flu vaccine will be more important than ever. CDC recommends that all people 6 months and older get a yearly flu vaccine.

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What If There Is A Serious Reaction

What should I look for?

• Look for anything that concerns you, such as signs of a severe allergic reaction, very high fever, or behavior changes. Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, and weakness. These would start a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccination.

What should I do?

• If you think it is a severe allergic reaction or other emergency that can’t wait, call 9-1-1 or get the person to the nearest hospital. Otherwise, call your doctor.

• Afterward, the reaction should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System . Your doctor might file this report, or you can do it yourself through the VAERS website at www.vaers.hhs.gov, or by calling 1-800-822-7967.

VAERS is only for reporting reactions. They do not give medical advice.

Earache And Pain After Covid Vaccine

Earache is a rather common symptom and can have many different causes, which is why it is not easy to associate it as a direct side effect of the Covid vaccine, since its onset could be a coincidence.

We will therefore report the results of the Covid-19 vaccine adverse reactions report, that states that in UK out of 77.4 million doses administered, the episodes of earache reported after to the administration of the Covid 19 vaccine were:

• Vaxzevria : 1924
• Moderna: 49

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How Do Flu Vaccines Work

• Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against infection with the viruses that are used to make the vaccine.

• The seasonal flu vaccine protects against the influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. Most flu vaccines in the United States protect against four different flu viruses an influenza A virus, an influenza A virus, and two influenza B viruses. There are also some flu vaccines that protect against three different flu viruses an influenza A virus, an influenza A virus, and one influenza B virus. Two of the trivalent vaccines are designed specifically for people 65 and older to create a stronger immune response.

Does A Flu Vaccine Increase Your Risk Of Getting Covid

• There is no evidence that getting a flu vaccine increases your risk of getting sick from a coronavirus, like the one that causes COVID-19.

• You may have heard about a study published in January 2020 that reported an association between flu vaccination and risk of four commonly circulating seasonal coronaviruses, but not the one that causes COVID-19. This report was later found to be incorrect.

• The results from that initial study led researchers in Canada to look at their data to see if they could find similar results in their population. The results from Canadas study showed that flu vaccination did not increase risk for these seasonal coronaviruses. The Canadian findings highlighted the protective benefits of flu vaccination.

• The Canadian researchers also identified a flaw in the methods of the first study, noting that it violated the part of study design that compares vaccination rates among patients with and without flu . This flaw led to the incorrect association between flu vaccination and seasonal coronavirus risk. When these researchers reexamined data from the first study using correct methods, they found that flu vaccination did not increase risk for infection with other respiratory viruses, including seasonal coronaviruses.

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Lasting Effects Of Loud Noise Exposure

Loud noises from workplaces like factories, road construction, and active duty in the military are known to cause tinnitus, either temporarily or as a permanent condition. Rock musicians often suffer as well, thanks to the heavy amplification of their instruments. In 1988, a musician and a physician from San Francisco founded a non-profit organization, Hearing Education and Awareness for Rockers , aimed at raising awareness among fans, band members, sound engineers, and members of the general public, of the risk of hearing loss and tinnitus with repeated exposure to loud music and loud noises in general.

Legendary guitarist Pete Townshend of The Who is an advocate for HEAR, revealing he’s suffered from tinnitus for years.

Risk And Comparison Intervals

To guide our selection of the appropriate risk intervals, we reviewed the literature, obtained expert opinion, and used database searches. We searched the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System downloadable data among reports received from June 1, 1990, through February 4, 2015, for hearing-related diagnoses in patients who received TIV alone . Among the 13 reports of adults diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss, the median onset from receipt of TIV to onset of tinnitus and/or hearing loss was 2 days . On the basis of this search and our other criteria, we selected risk intervals of 1 to 7 and 1 to 14 days for our primary analyses. To address concerns that SSHL onset might be delayed in some cases beyond the 1- to 14-day primary risk interval, we performed secondary analyses using risk intervals of days 1 to 28 and days 15 to 28 prior to onset. As a comparison interval, we used all observation time outside the 28-day risk interval in the 9 months prior to immunization . Nine months was selected to minimize flu vaccine receipt over successive seasons.

Given the number of vaccines administered and the incidence of SSHL, we had 80% power to detect, in the 1- to 7-day risk interval, a relative risk of 1.88 for TIV, 2.57 for tetanus reduced diphtheria acellular pertussis , 4.3 for pneumococcal polysaccharide , and 1.52 for any vaccine.

This study was approved by the KPNC Institutional Review Board.

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When To See A Doctor

Many people with tinnitus find their symptoms subside after a short time, or come and go. But if your symptoms are persistent or only occur in one ear, its a good idea to see a doctor to rule out a serious medical condition.

Other symptoms that may warrant contacting a doctor include:

• if it wakes you from sleep or keeps you from sleeping
• if your symptoms dont subside after about a week
• the sound in your ear matches your pulse
• you have discharge from your ear
• you also have dizziness or nausea
• if it keeps you from completing your daily activities

Can I Get Seasonal Flu Even Though I Got A Flu Vaccine This Year

Yes. Its possible to get sick with flu even if you have been vaccinated . This is possible for the following reasons:

• You may be exposed to a flu virus shortly before getting vaccinated or during the period that it takes the body to gain protection after getting vaccinated. This exposure may result in you becoming ill with flu before the vaccine begins to protect you.

• You may be exposed to a flu virus that is not included in the seasonal flu vaccine. There are many different flu viruses that circulate every year. A flu vaccine is made to protect against the three or four flu viruses that research suggests will be most common.

• Unfortunately, some people can become infected with a flu virus a flu vaccine is designed to protect against, despite getting vaccinated. Protection provided by flu vaccination can vary widely, based in part on health and age factors of the person getting vaccinated. In general, a flu vaccine works best among healthy younger adults and older children. Some older people and people with certain chronic illnesses may develop less immunity after vaccination. Flu vaccination is not a perfect tool, but it is the best way to protect against flu infection.

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