by Neil Bauman, Ph.D.
A firefighter wrote:
I am a 42 year old man. I was driving today at 10:00 AM and all of a sudden I felt like I was in a plane changing altitudes. I waited for my ears to pop like they usually do, but they didn’t, and I realized quickly that I had a dramatic loss of hearing in my right ear. I tried to find a physician, but to no avail. At about 2:00 PM I went to an audiologist and she confirmed my fears that I had a dramatic sudden hearing loss in my right ear. I finally got to an ENT and she said that I should start on steroids right away. I am a firefighter and within the past week got the N1H1 (swine flu) vaccine. Could this be a possible cause?
That was quite the unexpected experience, wasn’t it? They don’t call it sudden hearing loss for no reason!
If your hearing loss is thought to be caused by a virus, some doctors prescribe drugs such as Methotrexate (Rheumatrex) or Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) along with the steroid Prednisone. Sometimes these drugs work and sometimes they don’t, but you might think it worth a try.
No one seems to mention it, but sudden hearing loss can and does occur in some people from taking viral vaccines. I have received two such reports in the past few years. One boy lost significant hearing after getting a flu shot, while a girl’s hearing suddenly dropped 30 dB one week to the day after receiving her flu shot.
To be sure, these were not swine flu shots, but it seems that flu viruses can get into the inner ear and cause sudden hearing loss. I don’t see why the swine flu should be any different.
I wouldn’t be surprised if, in your case, the swine flu virus was the culprit, unless you have had a cold, other virus or flu in the past week or so.
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I suspect it’s an allergy to the flu shot. If so, the prednisone, if given a high enough dose, should restore it (as per Dr. Ian Storper, Columbia U. Hospital); don’t take another flu shot for a good long while.
I am not an MD, but I did suffer a SSNHL (left ear), mine was brought on by extreme stress. It took me 3 years to solve it, during that time I lost and regained hearing constantly; it was a living hell. None of the top NYC Drs. could cure me. In the end it turned out to be an “IgG” allergy to food (Milk and Chocolate, in my case; which is why prednisone & sometimes zinc helped me as they suppress the immune system) fortunately I was able to regain my hearing by avoiding the foods in question, and then over time slowely re-train my immune system to reaccept the foods again.
After I made the above post my wife reminded me that I actually did have a major hearing drop several years ago the day after I took a seasonal flu shot. A 3 day pulse of steroids brought it back. This was before I figured out it was an allergy, so my imune system was very touchy. So the answer is a definite Yes, it is possible to lose hearing via a flu shot. I have not had one since.
My wife suddenly lost hearing in her right ear one week after the H1N1 injection. Two days later she saw the ENT doctor who injected prednisone in her ear and also has perscibed oral prednisone. It has been nine days and the hearing has not returned. She will see him tomorrow when he will probably give her another injection.
Dear Russell,
I am not a Dr., but all the ones I’ve spoken to do not beleive in the injections. However high oral doses do seem to help (reduce the auto-immune response).
Since it seems to be an allergic reaction may I suggest the following medical practice (I have not used them personally)
http://www.houseearclinic.com/allergies.htm – they are the only medical practice I could find that acknowledges the connection between allergies and hearing disorders, including sensorineural hearing loss & Meniere’s Disease
A couple of years ago I had the worst case of the flu I’ve ever had. At the time I was also under severe stress and my immune system was compromised. I was feeling very strange (like a fuzziness in my head). I took a shower and went to bed early. When I awoke I could not raise my head off my pillow or move my body. I thought I had surely had a stroke or some type of paralysis. Fortunately, it was the weekend and my husband was home to help me to the bathroom as I could not stand or walk. I was also experiencing severe vertigo and throwing up. I went to the EMT that week and he started weeks of steroid injections through the eardrum and put me on oral steroids. Unfortunately, my hearing has not returned. I advise anyone who has had the flu and sudden hearing loss to go to the doctor immediately! If anyone has had this type of hearing loss and has regained their hearing please reply with what has helped or even what you feel has helped to regain your hearing and/or reduce or rid the vertigo. I am willing to try just about anything to rid the vertigo and regain my hearing.
Thanks to all!
This response shows total ignorance on two respsonse. The “anti-virals” you mentioned are not anti-viral meds at all, but immunosuppressant medications, and the swine flu shot for adults is a killed virus, and one cannont get a viral infection from the adult flu shot. Only the nasal spray is a live attenuated virus.
Hi John:
If these drugs are immunosuppressant drugs, why do some doctors prescribe them when they suspect a viral infection in the inner ear? It seems to me that they should be prescribing something to kill the virus, not prescribing a drug that suppresses the body’s immune system so it can’t effectively mount an attack on the virus. Or am I missing something here?
As for flu shots ONLY containing killed viruses, can you guarantee that not a single live virus has ever gotten through? In the past, I’ve read reports of live viruses in supposedly dead virus vaccines. I think this happens more than anyone cares to admit.
Regards
Neil
I am going through a similar experience to what’s been reported here by other people. On November 22nd, I decided to be ‘responsible’ and get my first ever flu shot. Shortly after that, I began to notice a slight buzzing in my left ear at night time when I would lie down. Unfortunately, I chose not to act on this, hoping it would eventually go away. On Christmas morning I woke up to find myself completely deaf in my left ear. With this came the vertigo, with the extreme dizziness and nausea. Being the holidays, my only option was the Emergency department, where they gave me medications to help with the nausea and told me to ‘go see my doctor’, which I did at my first possible opportunity. Unfortunately, my Doctor and the Ear Nose and Throat Specialist have now both told me that I should have been put on high dosage steriods immediately, and that my ‘window of opportunity’ for having my hearing cured is now probably closed, barring a miracle. I was asked whether I’d had the flu recently, which led me to wonder about the flu shot, which has now led me to this website. I will not be getting this shot again.
That’s exactly what happened to me. I waited to long. Steroids didn’t work. Deaf in my right ear.
I am wondering whether the repeated flu shots administered while working at a hospital has caused my tinitis &you vertigo symptoms.
Hi Barbara:
I’ve not heard that tinnitus was associated with flu shots. But I’ve heard from numbers of people that have lost their hearing from taking them.
Vertigo is a side effect of flu shots according to the PDR.
So I can’t really say one way or the other. It is possible, but it is also possible that something else is the cause. I don’t have near enough information to help me decide.
Regards
Neil
I just had a flu shot this afternoon at the hospital I work at. By the time I made it home it was like my ears were plugged primarily on the same side as the shot was given. Its now late at night and it’s giving me a headache from the pressure I am feeling in my ears.
Same for me, I had a flu shot less than a week ago.
Ears fill plugged today and on one side the tone is very tinny.
The side the flu shot was given is the problem ear.
My flue shot was on left arm, hearing loss was on right side 2 weeks later. Normally, it took 10 days to fight a flue, and I had no any flue or cold symptoms except tired. But I am always tired.
If its caused by a live virus, wouldn’t the hearing loss result prior to 2 weeks?
I reported to fraserside health authority about thwt the sudden hearing loss might be caused by flue shot. Recommend others to do the same. I was told, local health authority would look into it to see the possibilities also report to higher authorities to see if there is a pattern. If there are other reports they will look into the possible cause
They would also advise me whether to avoid future flue shots.
My story is similar. On Oct 22, I had a flu shot and usually get them every year. The next day I lost all hearing in my left ear over a 3-4 hour span. No pain..nothing. I researched it on the Internet and the consensus was “Go to the doc immediately” so I did, and was taking oral Prednisone within 12 hours. The doc had me get an MRI to ensure there was no tumor or stroke…that all turned out OK. Audiologist’s test confirmed the total loss. My ENT believed it involved a viral invection of the middle ear, said we could try strong anti-virals, and although he wasn’t optimistic about it I did (no benefits from it). Over the course of a month or so I regain aboout 10% of the hearing, but the ringing is loud and nonstop 24/7. Fortunately I am able to sleep. After 6 weeks I had a steroid injection through the eardrum. Its now been 2 1/2 months and there is really no change. Some days it actucally seems to be worsening. It has truly been hell though and it’s rough to handle noisy restaurants and multiple conversations. I am going to see another ENT next week but from all the reasearch I have done it seems that the consensus is:
1) Somestimes this happens and we really don’t know why.
2) If you’re under 40 you have a better chance of recovery
3) Although the hearing loss was immediate it could take 3/6/12 months to come back IF it comes back.
As to the flu shot being the culprit, my ENT says no way, but I’m gonna ask the next guy for sure.
Treatment in the rest of the world oftem involves betahistine taken at the time with the intial prednisone, but for some reason that has not been the approach that doecs in the US believe in.
Very frustrating!!!
Hello I too have suffered sudden hearing loss with the vertigo nausea in October 2012 (flu shot hmmm?)anti-viral mega doses of prednisone and then an injection in the inner ear that was absolutely horrific!! My mastoid and down under chin i.e. eustachian tube were on fire mega! Doc had to withdraw some of fluid and find me pain meds as this was not a normal reaction. Understatement..I am still not hearing well. Perhaps 56-62% in a specific frequency…Yes hard to be in crowds conversations etc….very stressful. I do put an earplug in the left ear when watching t.v. or in a crowd restaurants etc.
Feel so isolated as you all can understand. Wish there were a support group here in the Detroit area. I live in Westland MI. Good to have tripped across this site.
Thanks for “listening” :)))))
Very warmly Fran
Well thought I’d chime in with an update to my January post. Still ringing in the left ear all the time – 24/7. I’ve started investigating hearing aid options and went back to the audiologist who gave me some more hearing tests. At low freqs my hearing has come way up…probably to 90% of normal. However in the other ranges is still only 20% at best. I can hear murmuring sounds like when someone yells underwater, but really can’t make out words. Balance seems a bit better. We simulated some hearing aids and freq tuning, which did seem to give me a better stereo feeling…despite not being able to hear distinct words in that ear. Simple amplification could not get me up to hearing words without being so loud it caused pain. Hey…it’s something right? I will probably wait a couple more months and then settle on a Siemens hearing aid that clains to have tinnitus masking.
I had the Flu shot about three weeks ago. I have suddenly lost the hearing in my ears. The right one being the worse. The very same thing happened to me last year at this very time after my shot. I went to my doctor yesterday and she said this was an allergic reaction to the Flu shot. I didn’t get my hearing back for five months last year and I am worried it will take this long again this time. I have a constant horn sound in my right ear, the side I got the shot. To set the record straight, I had every test I could have last year including an MRI. My ears are fine. My doctor has me on anti-biotics for two weeks because I also developed an ear infection in my left ear. I will NEVER have another Flu shot again.
I had my first ever flu shot about October 20, 2013 and within a couple of weeks developed pulsatile tinnitus in left ear with partial sudden hearing loss. ENT put me on anti-viral and steroids. Had my brain MRI and carotid Cat Scan today. I am really upset. Anyone know about successful claims against vaccine manufacturers or Costco as a result of these type of injuries?
How did this turn out for you?
Took my little family of 3 to get the flu shot 2/3 at CVS Minute Clinic on his left deltoid. On 2/6 the hubby had buzzing and hearing loss in his right ear. Took him to Mayo Clinic 10/10. They put him on Prednisone and Valaciclovir.
He had a hearing test 3/13 at Mayo Clinic. He has total hearing loss in his right ear. His left ear is unaffected and thankfully still has hearing in the left ear. Sadly the buzzing in his right ear is still going on. Mayo moved up his ENT follow up from 3/10 to 2/20. Hubby always gets a flu shot. This year he is over 65. He got the high dose and did have nasal discharge and mild flu like symptoms that went away 2/8.
I am not a doctor but there in our case there is a direct correlation between the Sanofi Fluzone (2013-2014) 0.5mL Prefilled Syringe High Dose-Thimerosal Free; Preservative Free flu shot Lot#U4786AA and hearing loss.
im like this a year hafe had gommts didnt work and allmy ent doc say is hearing test normal but i have filling of fullness in ears drive mad and in crowd have to keep asking people to repeat themself
I got the flu shot in november 2012 and loss hearing in my left ear shortly after. I did high dose prednosone, did not work it s been over1 year and the hearing is complete likely permenent and constant ringing. I ll never get a flu dhot ahain
Several hours after getting flu vaccine Dec 3,2012–extreme buzzing locust like noise in left ear. Went to ENT- first ENT said no correlation. I did not believe him- as I never in my entire life had noise in my ears. Went to second ENT and he agreed ringing and sensorineural hearing loss was related to flu vaccine. He stated that it was an autoimmune reaction from flu vaccine. I Will never get another flu vaccine- would probably result in total deafness. It is bad enough that I have to live with the ringing in the ears and partial hearing loss.
To anyone to got a flu shot and got a terrible vertigo after that, maybe you can help me by sending an email to me.
My email is avrapap@gmail.com.
I had a flu shot every year for the past 10 years or so. I never had issues. This year on Sep 30th 2014, got the flu shot. I am 58 so they gave me i think the regular full dose. And the result: after 2 days of no issue, i suddenly woke up and almost fell. Terrible Vertigo. Now for the last 2 days i cannot lay on my back at all. Only on the side. If i am on my back, day or night, i get terrible vertigo within less than a minute. I also have nausea all the time (not so bad). Anyone can give me advice?
I will mention I do have ringing ears for over 2 years since getting antibiotics heavy dose for an infection.
I just had the flu vaccine shot on Friday, October 10th, and on Sunday morning (the 12th), I woke up with really bad vertigo and almost fell down. Throughout the days since, I have lost balance and even walked into a wall, and when I lay down on my back, it feels like I am spinning for about 20 seconds. Today (the 15th), it seems a bit better, but I know I still have mild vertigo. It must have been caused by the flu vaccine, because I have never had vertigo before and the timing is very strange.
I had a flu shot in 1993 (I do not know what kind) when I was in my late 30’s. About 10 days later I started having severe ringing and buzzing in my right ear. I woke up in the middle of the night with no hearing in that ear. I saw an ENT doc that same day and started on steroids. Had the MRI which was all clear. I lost 100% of the hearing in my right ear. All the nerves were also affected, so a hearing aid will not help. It took a long time to recover…both the physical and emotional. I will never take another flu shot, and I research carefully before any immunization. I discovered that the shingles shot can also cause hearing loss…
Many doctors have told me that it was not the flu shot that caused my SSNHL; however, I was not ill and nothing else could have caused it.
There has to be a correlation between getting a flu shot and SSHL!! I received a flu shot from my doctor and 4 days later I’m left with a 97% hearing loss in my right ear(same side as shot)I went to sleep completely fine and woke up deaf. I went to my ENT and was put on high dose prednosone, and going in 3 times a week for the next 3 weeks for direct injections into my ear drum(extremely painful)Also being sent for a MRI because its possible it could be a tumor pressing on the nerve between the ear and the brain. ENT said hopefully with this treatment there is a 80% chance I will be able to hear at an “acceptable” level with the use of a hearing aid? Is there anyone who knows where to find data/warnings regarding getting a flu shot and possible hearing loss? If yes please feel free to email me at qsi@usa.com. Thanks for listening to my story, no pun intended
Hi Jeff:
The official word is that it is all coincidental–that you were getting the flu before you got the shot and the shot didn’t have time to prevent the flu (and other side effects). As you can tell by all the stories people have related here, that is just a bunch of baloney!
I think I’m one of the few that believes/warns people about the dangers to our ears of getting flu shots.
Regards
Neil
Wow, these posts have been so good to read as exactly the same thing happened to me.
Had the flu shot on a wednesday, by following Tuesday my hearing in my right ear started to deteriorate. Started with fullness in ears, then noises went tinny sounding, by Saturday I was completely deaf.
Fortunately, after starting the antivirals and steroids, my hearing has returned (although affected ear is still very sore and sensitive).
Needless to say, I do think the 2 are connected, I have never had an ear infection before, and following this traumatic experience, I will never have a flu shot ever again.
Am so sorry to hear aboout the permanent hearing losses people have sustained, the isolation when it happens is unbearable. But I have come across a lot of support groups, and the deaf community are most welcoming.
K x
I had a my first ever flu shot on Oct 23, 2014. Am healthy 56 yr old male. 2 weeks after the flu shot I had ear aches in both ears for a couple of days for no apparent reason (not sick, not prone to ear aches and wasn’t exposed to cold wind etc.) – the right ear actually felt worse than the left. Sunday Nov 16 I laid down to go to sleep and watch some news and I started hearing the a garbled/distorted sound from the voice of the person speaking on TV. It gradually worsened until it sounded as other people have described as being tinny or sounding like a robotic kind of voice. I describe it as being close to how it sounds when you speak closely into a fan – a sort of vibrational sound. I also had the feeling that my ears needed to pop like on an airplane. My left ear was the only one that gave me this sensation. I went to sleep and woke up with the distortion gone, but am still 3 days later feeling a bit of sensitivity in both ears, with my left a little more so than my right…or maybe I am just hypersensitive to what I experienced. It was a scary feeling, as I had no idea if it was going to be there when I woke up. I tried to think about anything and everything that I had done recently that could have been the cause of this, and then it hit me, I had never taken a flu shot before, and had heard that there can be allergic reactions etc. My doctor convinced me to take one though, even though I was reluctant. When I googled flu shots and hearing loss, I found this site. Go figure – I made the same connection as many on here – I will not ever take a flu shot again – I’ll take my chances and stay healthy during flu season.
had a flu jab 2 12 2014 following day got a buzzing
in the ears I went to my local chemist he said it would go away in a few days then Thursday 4 12 2014
I have gone completely deaf in my right ear
if it is the jab that as caused this what can be done about it
Hi K:
There’s not too much that can be done at this point. The damage is already done. That’s one reason I don’t recommend vaccinations. Sometimes the hearing loss is temporary if your body fights off the virus. Some people get an anti-viral from their doctors to try and kill the virus.
Another solution is to take powerful antioxidants such as glutathione (which your body makes naturally). The problem is that your stomach breaks it down before it gets into your bloodstream where it can do some good. A way to get around this is to take N-acetyl-cysteine and D-methionine which are two of the big building blocks of glutathione and let your body synthesize them into glutathione.
Cordially,
Neil
My husband received the flu shot this year 10/14, first at the injection site he had pain, then he was not able to raise his arm feeling a tightness and pain, then under his arm look like a twisted rope was pushing through his skin. After three weeks his arm was back to normal then one night he began to have terrible ringing in both ears and at the same time found a lump under his arm. Dr. put him on oral steroids which quickly helped the ringing in his ears, but now as he is lowering the dose of the steroid the ringing seems to be coming back. I called the ENT and his regular Dr. waiting to hear back from them. Has anyone experienced these side effects. Also, before he was put on a steroid they did a hearing test and it came back normal. I hope it stays this way. Please let me know if anyone has had a similar experience.
I have had a flu shot every year. Last year 3 days after my flu shot, I lost my hearing in the ear under my flu shot arm. (Right Ear) My left ear hearing was also diminished. I could not hear well for about 8 weeks. I could not hear out of right ear at all. I know it was a miracle when my ears opened. I had prayed and prayed for them to open. Trying praying if your ears close. He hears our prayers.
🙂
Hi Janis:
True, the Lord does hear our prayers. But He also wants us to use our brains. Now that you know that flu shots are dangerous to your ears, you need to stay away from flu shots in the future. You can’t presume on Him helping you when you know something is not right for you and you go ahead and get/do it anyway.
Cordially,
Neil
I just came across this blog. I am 32 years old and went two weeks ago for four vaccines because I was supposed to go on a trip out of the country today. I got the influenza, t-dap, HEP a, and typhoid vaccines. I passed out during one of them. 3 days after the vaccines, I woke up to no hearing in my left ear. I had buzzing and airplane noises. Monday morning I went to MASS EYE AND EAR they told me I had sudden sensioneural hearing loss and put me on 19 days steroids of prednisone. I am on the 10th day and still no hearing. Any information or advice would be GREATLY appreciated! I am so frustrated and canceled the trip. My question is I strongly feel this is from the vaccines. thanks!
Hi Kelly:
I’m with you. This seems like a reaction to the vaccine. As you’ve seen, other people have experienced much the same thing, no matter what the doctors say unless they can see another obvious cause of the hearing loss.
Now, what can you do about it? Probably not much now as it is 10 days later. If you had taken an anti-viral drug the day you had the hearing loss, it might have helped–but no guarantees though.
Has no hearing at all come back in that ear? If not, I’m not hopeful that there is anything you can do now that will have much effect.
Sorry,
Neil
Tinnitus, deafness, balance and other medical problems are definitely associated with the flu shot. My hearing, balance, focus and concentration was perfect the day before having the flu-shot. I could hear a dime drop on the pavement crystal clear from 150 feet away and had a balance system like a cat..the next day after the flu shot and going forward was nothing but medical problems that became worse. I didn’t want the flu-shot to begin with… the doctor ordered it. I now have full blown 24/7 tinnitus,hearing problems, balance problems, swollen tonsils and androids, ongoing shooting headaches from the middle ear, swollen thyroid and lymph nodes, shallow breathing and respiratory problems, bleeding sinus cavity, sore muscles and fatigue and difficulty concentrating. It took a longtime just to write this paragraph . The risks definitely do not outweigh the benefits. No ifs and’s or buts about it. You are better off building your own antibodies naturally and tolerating the flu naturally for a few days…like i have done for the last 50 years…than to shock and contaminate your immunity system and mucous membranes with some garbage filled syringe and risk unnecessary hearing and equilibrium loss (possibly permanent) and/or other medical problems.
The benefits do not outweigh the risks.
Nice Blog Dr. Bauman! Wish we all had better news…
Oops…sorry…It’s Dr. Neil… no harm done…
My assessment and studies of the Flu Shot…In short… Normally, A flu infection usually starts out as a small germ and then gradually builds in the body. It is not an all of a sudden thing where there are 4 different strains in your body at the same time at overwhelming doses entering the blood stream with free access to your brain and other vulnerable parts of your body…so that your immune system over reacts or over responds to some unneeded foreign substance in your body. Anti-Viral and immunity suppressants like Dr. Neil was mentioning probably wouldn’t be needed if the dose size was appropriate, clean and well made. Furthermore, it is a complicated process making the VAX…and much of it comes from overseas. It has to be kept at a certain temperature; or it could become contaminated. There is also a risk of the VAX not being made right or stored right. That is another reason why it is a risk…one cannot just assume the batch is fine. Whose bright idea was it to make flu VAX in an egg shell…One flew over the cuckoo’s nest? There have been documentaries on TV that 40% of the medicines in pharmacies across America are contaminated or forgeries…
There have been recalls saying that the flu VAX was not strong enough. That was sarcasm because, in fact the doses were contaminated or too much. There are also other VAXES that are recombinants so that it so it doesn’t use the actual viruses. There are also subcutaneous vs muscle injections. Some contain mercury and formaldehyde. There is no need for such a large dose for any VAX…you can always add…but you can’t take it away… once it is injected. If there is an allergic reaction or immunity over reaction…it can then be minimal, if any.
Flu like after effects is what can cause deadly diseases down the road such as cancer and other medical problems i.e. Ear infections, balance problems, thyroid problems etc.. Flu’s are said to be the number one cause of ear infections Not just the virus itself…But the way the immunity system responds to the virus…so why would you inject something that mimics the flu virus? Why would you flaunt an infant around town for self serving attention? If there were a pandemic and thousands of people were dying in the neighborhood like the walking dead…Then, and only then, would it be worth the risk of taking a VAX and any possible adverse side effects… in the interest of survival. Also…another thing to consider is that one may have already built up anti-bodies to the flu and other harmful viruses and bacteria and so the body’s immune system may not react well to the flu VAX.
If everybody had immunity to everything…there would be no need for doctors’ other than physical injuries. If a bad medicine or a VAX causes adverse effects to a healthy person…or you catch something and get sick from visiting the doctor’s office…then the medical system itself is self-perpetuating illnesses in an awful way… the medical system itself then becomes a health hazard, a financial liability, a waste of time and self defeating…good for the doctor’s office billing clerk’s pocket book.. But not good for patients’ and a patient’s health…And there is still a chance that any further treatment could just make things worse…causing further self-perpetuating health risks and financial waste for everybody. A vicious circle…
A patient’s health and the Doctor’s duty to care is why we have Doctors in the first place? I am definitely NOT a proponent of the FLU VAX and never have been… It is not something you should do in the interest of longevity or the quality of life…And certainly not something a doctor should order unless the Doctor wants to assume liability or be held accountable for the results…In fact; there is a risk of the Flu VAX being the opposite and causing unneeded serious temporary and permanent health problems. You may not be able to enjoy the things in life you once did or be able to help others like you once did…At least an oral anti-viral, in many cases…leaves the body relatively soon…
Dr. Neil…what is the half life of the Flu-VAX?
Hi There:
You make some good points. One thing you missed is that all viruses enter your body naturally either by breathing them in or ingesting them–and your body’s immune system is set up and ready to destroy them. However, when the viruses are suddenly injected into the bloodstream, they largely bypass your body’s immune system defenses. The result can be like what you experienced.
Sorry, I don’t know the half-life of any vaccines. Not my area of interest. Remember, I’m not a medical doctor. My interest is in “ears” and things that affect them.
Cordially,
Neil
Your point well taken… I think what happened is my mucous membranes in the sinus, respiratory, ear, nose and throat as it became inflamed and was trying to expel the contents of the shot. My sinuses were filled with green bloody crusty slime that went up the Eustachian tube and damaged the cochlea and vestibule. (Never happened like that before, usually clear fluid with no problems) My eyes and tear ducts filled with thick puss and crust (left eye worse) and I used over the counter pink eye medication and the condition in my eye went away, however they are now dry and sting. It is a very dry time of year. It is like dropping a roll of toilet paper in a toilet full of green split pea soup for my cochlea and balance tubes. I am still feeling the effects of tinnitus and balance problems in the left ear…same side as the shot. As stated before, my hearing and balance was fine before the shot. You can irrigate the outer ear but the inner ear was meant to stay dry. My question would then be…how do I clean out the inner ear thru the Eustachian tube? It is like pink eye in the Eustachian, cochlea and balance tubes. Are there any home remedies or medical treatment to clean the inner ear from crusty left over green bloody slime? I have taken amoxicillin for the swollen tonsils and sore throat for any bacteria, but as you know that won’t help for viruses. Sinus saline and/or fluticasone just makes it worse and makes it feel clogged. How can I dry clean the Eustachian, cochlea and balance tube area? When i bring the car to a stop, I have balance spells or when I walk and then sit down. I am relying on memory muscles and not my balance like before. Or just sitting there I will get balance problems. I still get headaches and shooting pain from the Eustachian tube…The tinnitus is the worse or loudest when I wake up or after a lot of hearing activity. This condition does provide for sleep deprivation. The clogged or problem ear hearing is at 70%. My left ear used to be the dominant and better hearing ear for hearing ..i.e. talking on the phone and for music. Most music is panned to the left. Kind of like reading from left to right. I have not had anything like this before, even thru the most severe flu’s and colds. I have tried tone generators at a frequency of 7500mhz thru 9000mhz that lowers the loudness of the tinnitus. Perhaps that is the damaged part of the cochlea as my ears are trying to compensate for the damage to the cochlea with noise activity. I would assume that it is the tinnitus type that could be heard with a sensitive microphone, not the internal perception type that can’t be heard externally. Have you heard of “dry cleaning” this area of the ear? It feels like the green bloody crusty slime is in that part of my ear with no way to clean it.
I have also been breathing steam vapors and sucking on honey lemon drops…chewing gum and drinking a lot of fluids…
I wouldn’t stick anything thru an eardrum..i think that is stupid…
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18833023
http://vestibular.org/labyrinthitis-and-vestibular-neuritis
Went to a new doctor today… The doctor stated .. Flu shots have absolutely nothing to do with inner ear or hearing problems. Either everyone who responded on this blog as well as other victims are imagining things or that Doctor got his degree from a Cracker Jack box. I think if people become ill from medicine the manufacturers should get sued. I am not big on doctors getting sued by some one with a 2 year degree when the doctor is only trying to help. But if a doctor orders something over one’s objection and causes some permanent damage or does not order something that you request and that negligence causes permanent damage then i think the doctor should be held accountable for their actions or lack thereof.
Flu-shots do not need a prescription and immunization manufacturers can not be held liable for their products by some legislation passed in the 1980’s which left the door wide open for anything and everything goes with no accountability. So, if i were a doctor, and a patient wanted the flu shot, i would say i do not recommend it and if you still want it then go to the pharmacy of your own accord. I went to the doctor stating i am against the flu shot and the doctor ordered the flu shot saying i needed annual immunizations and it gave me devastating possibly life long effects. I went there for penicillin and to this date still have not received a prescription for penicillin..only tetracycline’s which are harsh on my Gaul bladder, liver and pancreas and which i will not take . Even after telling the doctors that i am not compatible with tetracycline What a nightmare our health system has turned into. All Obama did was put out a fire with gasoline. It just gave incompetent billing clerks and health insurance a reason to deny patients treatment and to fraudulently bill health insurance. The corrupt medical system and healthcare insurance needs to be regulated not funded for further corruption. and in-competencies.
Hi I am thankful to have come across this website. I was required to get a flu shot because I work in healthcare. It was a trivalent vaccine (2016 I had a univalient and had no issue). Within 24-36 hrs of receiving the vaccine I was having severe headaches that were breaking through 800 mg of ibuprofen, ringing in my ears, heaviness and squeezing in my head and chest (this is a sign of migraine for me). My ears were stuffy but all of my symptoms were worse on the L side of my head/ear which was the same side I received the shot. I experienced 10 days of cold like symptoms and with fatigue. I went to see a PCP for antibiotic for ensuing sinus infection and doctor was emphatic that the flu shot had nothing to do with my condition. I was so angry because I had felt like hell for 10 days and my ear at times felt like it was going to burst. My symptoms have slowly improved but some foods trigger the squeezing in my head and pressure/ringing in my ears. The doctor gave me an Rx for medrol dose pack but I’ve had issues with steroids before and need my prescription ordered a certain way so I can tolerate the course.
I’m angry about having to get the flu shot. I’ve missed work, I’ve experienced great anxiety and fear because of this. My employer will only give a medical waiver if your reaction to the flu vaccine is LIFE THREATENING. I will be seeking a waiver on religious grounds next year as I need to take good care of my temple (I’m a Christian).
My heart goes out to all who have experienced anything like I have or worse. Ps 29:11 The Msg God makes his people strong, God gives his people peace. Thanks again for the website and educating the public on othe ototoxicity of flu vaccines and other medications. Blessings in Christ.
I had a flu and pneumonia shot on October 31, 2019 felt great prior to but woke with total hearing loss vertigo nausea and horrific tinnitus in my right ear. MRI and sonogram of carotid arteries all fine. In therapy now for the dizziness and went through oral and steroid shots in my ear. No improvements after 30 days. Last flu shot for me. Wish I had all of this information prior to getting the shot as I feel sure it is to blame.
I had a flu shot on September 19, 2019. Early October I experienced tingling and weakness in my legs which moved up to my arms culminating a few weeks later with sudden (overnight) hearing loss in my left ear and numbness (temporary) on left side of my face. Went to my Primary Care Dr. who sent me to a Rheumatologist and I also went to an ENT after the hearing loss. After much testing (with all healthy results) they sent me to a Neurologist. He was the first to ask me if I’d had a Flu Vaccine and if so when. Because indeed I had had a vaccine about 2 weeks before this all began he attributes my symptoms/illness to the vaccine. Said my antibodies were attacking my own nervous system. Seemed to make sense. Most of my symptoms have resolved though I still have some hearing loss (even after Prednisone treatment for same). He said I should still get the flu shot next year – that there is no reason not to. I on the other hand am not so sure about that. . .
Hi Joan:
I agree with your neurologist about the flu-shot causing the hearing loss and other symptoms. Not sure I agree about the antibodies attacking your nervous system though (but he’s the expert on that, not me).
However, I definitely disagree with him about getting flu-shots in the future. Personally, I wouldn’t risk it. You saw what happened this time. What makes you think it will be different next time? It could be even worse as your ears are already damaged.
As they say, “It is the height of stupidity to do the same thing over and over and expect a different result each time.” I’d take this as a warning that your body and the flu-shot just don’t get along with each other.
Cordially,
Neil
My four year old daughter received the flu shot without me being asked about it at her recent well checkup three days ago now. Last night she came to me absolutely heartbroken and terrified crying that her right ear just “stopped hearing everything and won’t work now”. I’ll be calling her doctor’s office in the morning due to them not being open on Sundays, and asking for explanations and help for my baby girl because this has me absolutely terrified that my baby will not be able to get her hearing back. Thank you all for all of your information, and personal experiences.
Hi Natasha:
As you know, a lot of adults have problems with their ears after having the flu shot. I think you are the first person to tell me that it happens to young children too. Typically doctors treat sudden hearing loss with prednisone. I don’t know whether this is safe for children or not. But do get her in to see an ENT asap as time is of the essence if prednisone is to be effective.
I wish you (and your daughter) well.
Cordially,
Neil