2022 NHCA Annual Virtual Conference

This case study illustrates tinnitus amelioration during COVID-related lockdown in a patient with hearing loss and persistent tinnitus associated with decades of occupational exposure to amplified music. The patient, a 28-year-old touring audio engineer, first reported longstanding tinnitus in 2017 at a hearing conservation appointment. He was subsequently seen in 2018 he reiterated the presence of persistent tinnitus. In March 2020, he experienced a significant break from sound exposure as COVID restrictions immobilized the music industry. In early March 2020, he was diagnosed with COVID-19 and he experienced a myriad of severe symptoms. However, on March 26th, 2020, he experienced a total and complete remission of his tinnitus. While the change in tinnitus was profound and unexpected, his audiometric thresholds remained unchanged. Therefore, an explanation for the change in tinnitus must consider factors outside those amenable to typical audiometry. Through the remainder of 2020, the patient’s “noise” exposure essentially ceased, his diet and quality of sleep improved, even as he reported severe depression. This patient’s experience appears to provide a counterpoint to the intuitive link between tinnitus severity, activity restriction, and emotional distress.