It could be stress related, but you are lucky that it comes up only every so often per year. Maybe the stress of the COVID pandemic had an effect. Mine is definitely related to stress.
Can’t argue with that...in consideration of my anger cycles over the last few years. In the current climate, I can do no more than minimize the stress.
Still, stress was not a factor preceding my health recovery, and if it was a strong factor afterwards, I’d be experiencing it weekly these days.
It’s one of those symptoms I describe as ‘synergistic’ and multifaceted. In consideration of prior hearing damage (likely), I cannot complain about my very, very, intermittent and fleeting symptom.
Frankly, it’s a reminder to wear my damned hearing protection even when running the table saw or die grinder.