Healthcare Professionals
Since COVID-19 vaccines first became available, some people have reported experiencing tinnitus — a ringing, buzzing, or humming in the ears — after receiving their shots. If you've noticed new or worsened ear ringing after a COVID vaccine, you're not alone, and it's natural to have questions. Here's what the most current research tells us about the connection between COVID-19 vaccination and tinnitus.
Can the COVID Vaccine Cause Tinnitus?
Reports of tinnitus following COVID-19 vaccination have been documented in the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) since early in the vaccine rollout. However, reporting a symptom to VAERS does not confirm that the vaccine caused it — it simply means the symptom occurred after vaccination.
So what do the clinical studies say? A large-scale study published in Vaccine in 2025, conducted by Kaiser Permanente researchers, analyzed health records covering nearly 14,000 tinnitus events between September 2023 and March 2024. The study found no increased risk of tinnitus following COVID-19 XBB.1.5 vaccination — whether the vaccine was given alone or alongside the influenza vaccine. Among 13,940 first-ever tinnitus events in vaccine recipients, the relative incidence was actually lower than expected in the 14 and 28 days following vaccination.[1]
An earlier analysis of 2.5 million patients reported a new-onset tinnitus rate of just 0.038% after the first dose and 0.031% after the second dose — rates comparable to or lower than those seen with other routine vaccinations, including the flu shot.[2]
A 2025 Kaiser Permanente study of nearly 14,000 tinnitus cases found no increased risk of tinnitus following COVID-19 XBB.1.5 vaccination, either alone or co-administered with the influenza vaccine.[1]
What About People Who Did Develop Tinnitus After Vaccination?
While population-level studies suggest the overall risk is very low, researchers have also studied people who did report tinnitus after their COVID vaccine to better understand their experience.
A comprehensive survey published in Frontiers in Audiology and Otology in February 2025 collected data from 372 individuals who reported new-onset tinnitus or worsening of pre-existing tinnitus following COVID-19 vaccination. The researchers found that both mRNA (Pfizer, Moderna) and non-mRNA vaccines were associated with reports, with no single vaccine type standing out as significantly riskier than others. Individuals with certain pre-existing conditions — including metabolic disorders — tended to report more severe symptoms.[3]
A larger follow-up study of 770 adults, published in Audiology Research in 2025, found that people who reported tinnitus after vaccination often also experienced sleep disruption, emotional distress, sensitivity to sound (hyperacusis), and difficulty hearing in noisy environments. Researchers noted that this symptom profile closely resembles centrally mediated tinnitus — a form driven by changes in how the brain processes sound — rather than direct damage to the ear itself.[4]
How Does This Compare to Tinnitus from COVID-19 Infection?
It's worth noting that COVID-19 infection itself has been linked to tinnitus at higher rates than vaccination. Research published during the pandemic found that 40–50% of individuals with COVID-19 reported worsened tinnitus or new-onset symptoms — far exceeding the rates associated with any vaccine.[5]
A 2025 review in the Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research concluded that while both COVID-19 infection and vaccination have been linked to hearing changes and tinnitus, the effects from vaccination are rare, and most patients experience improvement over time.[6]
COVID-19 infection itself is linked to tinnitus at significantly higher rates than vaccination. Studies show 40–50% of people with COVID-19 reported worsened or new tinnitus symptoms — far exceeding the 0.038% rate seen after vaccination.
What Should You Do if You Experience Tinnitus After a COVID Vaccine?
If you've developed ringing in your ears after a COVID-19 vaccine, there are several steps you can take.
While post-vaccination tinnitus is usually temporary, it's a good idea to have your hearing evaluated — especially if the ringing persists beyond a few weeks or is accompanied by hearing loss or dizziness.
Clinical data shows that the majority of people who develop tinnitus after vaccination see their symptoms improve or resolve over time. In Johnson & Johnson's Phase 3 trials, five out of six participants who reported tinnitus saw improvement by the end of the study period.
Many people with tinnitus find relief through supplements that support inner ear health. LIPO® Ear Ringing is the #1 doctor-recommended ear ringing supplement and contains a unique combination of vitamins and bioflavonoids. In an observational study, participants experienced a 32% improvement in tinnitus symptoms after taking LIPO (formerly Lipo Flavonoid) daily for 60 days.
Research consistently shows that stress and poor sleep can worsen tinnitus perception. Prioritizing rest, reducing caffeine, and practicing relaxation techniques may help you manage symptoms during recovery.
If you believe your tinnitus is related to vaccination, you can file a report with VAERS to contribute to ongoing safety monitoring.
The Bottom Line
The best available evidence suggests that the risk of developing tinnitus from a COVID-19 vaccine is very low — comparable to the risk from other common vaccines like the flu shot. Large-scale studies, including the 2025 Kaiser Permanente study and the XBB.1.5 self-controlled case series, have found no statistically significant increase in tinnitus risk after vaccination.
That said, a small number of people do report new or worsened tinnitus after receiving their shots. For most, symptoms are temporary. If you're experiencing persistent ear ringing — whether related to a vaccine, a COVID infection, or any other cause — there are options that can help you find relief.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the COVID vaccine cause tinnitus?
Some people have reported tinnitus after COVID-19 vaccination, but large-scale studies — including a 2025 Kaiser Permanente study of nearly 14,000 tinnitus cases — found no increased risk of tinnitus following vaccination. The overall rate of new-onset tinnitus after COVID vaccines is estimated at 0.038%, which is comparable to or lower than rates seen with other routine vaccines.
Is tinnitus a side effect of the COVID vaccine?
Tinnitus has been reported to VAERS after COVID-19 vaccination, but reporting a symptom does not confirm causation. A 2025 self-controlled case series study of 13,940 tinnitus events found no increased risk within 14 or 28 days of receiving the COVID-19 XBB.1.5 vaccine. While a small number of people do experience tinnitus after vaccination, most cases are temporary and resolve over time.
How common is tinnitus after COVID vaccination?
Based on a study of 2.5 million patients, new-onset tinnitus occurred in approximately 0.038% of people after their first COVID vaccine dose and 0.031% after the second dose. These rates are very low and comparable to tinnitus rates seen after other routine vaccinations like the flu shot.
Does tinnitus from the COVID vaccine go away?
For most people, yes. Clinical trial data and observational studies indicate that the majority of people who develop tinnitus after COVID vaccination see improvement over time. A 2025 review in the Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research confirmed that most patients experience improvement. Managing symptoms with stress reduction, adequate sleep, and nutritional supplements like LIPO (formerly Lipo Flavonoid) may help during recovery.
Can COVID-19 infection cause tinnitus?
Yes. Research shows that COVID-19 infection is linked to tinnitus at significantly higher rates than vaccination. Studies found that 40–50% of individuals with COVID-19 reported worsened or new-onset tinnitus, far exceeding the very low rates (0.038%) associated with the vaccines.
References
- Tinnitus risk after COVID-19 XBB.1.5 vaccination: A self-controlled case series study. Vaccine. 2025. Among 13,940 first-ever tinnitus events, no increased risk was observed following vaccination. View study
- Dorney I, et al. Prevalence of new-onset tinnitus after COVID-19 vaccination in 2.5 million patients. 2022. New-onset tinnitus rate: 0.038% after first dose, 0.031% after second dose.
- Yellamsetty A, Etu E-E, Bao S. Impact of COVID-19 vaccination on tinnitus onset and severity: a comprehensive survey study. Frontiers in Audiology and Otology. 2025;3:1509444. View study
- Yellamsetty A, Fortuna G, Etu E-E, Bao S. Tinnitus-Related Functional and Perceptual Impairments Following COVID-19 Vaccination: An Online Multi-Domain Survey Study. Audiology Research. 2025;15(6):164. View study
- Beukes EW, et al. Changes in tinnitus experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Public Health. 2021. Found 40–50% of individuals with COVID-19 reported worsened or new-onset tinnitus.
- Updates on Auditory Outcomes of COVID-19 and Vaccine Side Effects. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research. 2025. View study
Whether your tinnitus started after a vaccine, a COVID infection, or something else entirely — you deserve support. LIPO® has been trusted for over 65 years and is backed by a 60-day money-back guarantee.