(217) Google Searches for Otologic Symptoms Fluctuate by Season

Introduction: Seasonal fluctuation has been observed for some cochlear and vestibular symptoms. This study will investigate search interest for a range of otologic symptoms to identify and understand seasonal trends.

Methods: In this retrospective database analysis, Google search data was accessed from 2018 to 2021 on a weekly basis. Fifteen terms, including “tinnitus”, “vertigo”, and “headache” were queried. Only search results in the United States were included, with low search volume results omitted. Searches were categorized into seasons, based on the month they were conducted. Unpaired t-tests were used to determine when search interest peaked by season with p< 0.05 selected for significance.

Results: In the Winter, search interest for cochlear symptoms, like tinnitus (p < 0.001) and ear pressure (p < 0.001) peaked. Winter also showed highest search interest for migraine headache (p=0.005), headache (p < 0.001), neck pain (p < 0.001), and sinus pressure (p < 0.001). Autumn searches for hearing loss (p < 0.001) were the highest. While searches for aural fullness (p=0.70) and otalgia (p=0.37) peaked in Autumn or Winter, these peaks were not statistically significant. During Summer months, vertigo (p < 0.001), dizziness (p=0.006), and motion sickness (p < 0.001) exhibited greatest search interest.

Conclusions: Cochlear symptoms were significantly higher in Winter or Autumn months, when weather pressure changes are greatest. Pressure fluctuations detected by the tympanic membrane can be considered a somatosensory stimulus like light or sound leading to migraine-related symptoms. Similar trends between cochlear symptoms and migraine headache suggest a mechanistic association, rooted in the tympanic membrane’s function as an anatomic pressure sensor.