Table 1.

Factors related to tinnitus being stable, better, or exacerbated during the pandemic that were identified through thematic qualitative analysis of free text responses.

	Health-related factors	Social distancing restrictions	Lifestyle changes	Emotional state
Tinnitus exacerbated (31%)	• Health concerns • Family health concerns • Concerned about contracting the virus • Effects of having the virus • Future healthcare • Difficulty accessing healthcare • Reduced ability to access hearing healthcare • Taking medication/ vitamins • Fluctuations in the tinnitus sounds heard	• Rigorously following social distancing advice • Fewer engagements • Fewer social interactions • Housebound • Loneliness • Listening difficulties	• Less exercise • Noisier at home • Too quiet • Increased alcohol intake • Increased caffeine intake • Diet less healthy than prior to the pandemic • Higher workload • Busier • Decreased activity levels • Less exercise compared with before the pandemic • Poor sleep	• Frustrations • Relationship problems • Stress, worrying and anxiety • More depressed • More irritable • Financial worries • More jobs (work, schooling, household) • Lack of relaxation time • Work terminated or furloughed
Tinnitus better (2%)	• Reframing problems • Fighting the virus	• Reduced listening frustration	• Healthier than prior to the pandemic • Increased relaxation • Sleeping better • More peaceful lifestyle • Quieter • More time in nature • More exercise • Better diet	• Working from home
Tinnitus stable (67%)	• No additional health concerns • Tinnitus not severe • Not had virus • Family healthy	• Acceptance of new routine • Not self-isolating • Continuing social interactions	• Access to outdoor spaces • Diet unchanged	• No additional mental health concerns • No financial changes • Similar work patterns