Lyme disease is caused by bacteria that is transmitted from the bite of a back-legged tick. It is one of the most common vector-borne diseases in the USA. It’s so common that the CDC estimates that 476,000 Americans are affected by it, every single year. The focus of this article will be on whether Lyme disease can cause Tinnitus, how it causes it and what can be done about it.
How does Lyme disease cause Tinnitus?
Lyme disease is a persistent and progressive disease that intensifies with time. If not treated in a timely manner, it can slowly develop to a stage where a disorder called Neuroborreliosis sets in. Neuroborreliosis is a central nervous system disorder that presents itself as some or all of the following symptoms; facial palsy, double vision, nerve pain, Tinnitus, hearing loss, vertigo, hyperacusis and more. It is believed that Lyme disease affects the ears by damaging the vestibulocochlear or auditory nerve. This is unlike Tinnitus that is caused by exposure to loud noises for example, where hair cells in the middle ear die out of over stimulation.
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This study estimates that 75% of people with Lyme disease will suffer from Otolaryngological (Ear and Throat) symptoms. 76.5% of those cases are likely to be Tinnitus, the most common Otolaryngological symptom. These are followed by; 53.7% who had vertigo and dizziness, 39% who had headaches and 16.7% who had hearing loss. Please also read this article about headaches and Tinnitus as headaches and Tinnitus are not always caused by Lyme disease.
How long does it take for Lyme disease to cause Tinnitus?
Lyme disease is hard to fit into a template when it comes to how it will present itself as symptoms. Some people experience symptoms in days while for some it doesn’t show until weeks, months or even a year or more has passed.
But, the general consensus on the symptom presentation timeline is as follows;
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- 3 days to 2 Months after bite
- A circular, outwardly expanding (bulls-eye) scar (80% of the time)
- 1 to 2 months after bite
- Sore throat, intense headaches, fatigue, sinus infections, flu-like symptoms, joint pain, neck stiffness, facial palsy, sleep deprivation, erratic mood changes and even memory loss
- Several months after bite
- Jaw pain, painful urination, respiratory infections
- Tinnitus, ear pain, hyperacusis, hearing loss, vertigo and dizziness
The above timeline is only a general guide to give you a starting point for your research into whether Lyme disease caused your Tinnitus. As mentioned earlier, Lyme disease presents itself very differently from patient to patient. It is entirely possible for Tinnitus as a symptom to present itself much sooner or much later than what is explained above.
Only a doctor can arrive at a firm nexus between Lyme disease and your Tinnitus.
How is Tinnitus caused by Lyme Disease Diagnosed?
Lyme disease in itself is a hard disease to diagnose. This is because its symptoms mimic other diseases and disorders like multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, lupus and some autoimmune diseases.
But, if you have already been diagnosed for Lyme disease, your Tinnitus caused by Lyme disease might be confirmed with a Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) test. Other tests that may be used to confirm your Tinnitus diagnosis could be imaging studies, ear inspections or even a thorough investigation into the history of your Lyme disease and Tinnitus.
How is Tinnitus caused by Lyme Disease Treated?
Tinnitus caused by Lyme disease is treated by treating Lyme disease. This is usually done with sustained delivery of antibiotics like Ceftriaxone for 4-6 weeks. In many cases, a combination of antibiotics are used as some variations of Lyme disease are very resistant to certain antibiotics. If the bacterial infection is particularly aggressive, antibiotics may be administered intravenously for days or even weeks, before the patient is sent home with oral medication to be taken at home.
Other antibiotics that may be used in combination or as singular treatments include doxycycline, amoxicillin or cefuroxime.
Will Tinnitus caused by Lyme Disease Go Away After Treatment?
The answer is yes and no. In some cases, Tinnitus resolves after Lyme disease is resolved. In many cases, it can permanently persist if the damage to the auditory nerve is permanent. Tinnitus is usually permanent if the patient has also suffered partial or full hearing loss. It is also more likely to be permanent or chronic if Lyme disease wasn’t treated in the first few weeks after it was contracted.
Many symptoms of Lyme disease including Tinnitus can continue to persist even up to 6 months after successful treatment. This is a phenomenon that is called Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS).
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