Epidemiology and Characteristics of Tinnitus in Jordan

Reversible tinnitus was induced in 10 male and 8 female normal-hearing subjects following a 5 min 110 dB SPL exposure to white noise. Temporary threshold shift (TTS) was measured at 2 and 4 kHz. Characteristics of the tinnitus were determined by means of a written questionnaire administered 5 min following termination of the noise. Most of the subjects experienced a continuous tonal tinnitus of moderate loudness. Characterization of the tinnitus regarding spectral quality, type of sound, and perceived location differed as a function of gender. No difference in TTS measured at 2 and 4 kHz was seen as a function of gender. Positive relationships of fair to moderate strength were revealed between pre-exposure thresholds, TTS, and tinnitus pitch and level.

Introduction: It has been recognized that suitable external sounds can reduce or even make tinnitus impossible to hear. The working principle of sound therapy will be used to create a new tool or approach that suits the conditions of Indonesian society. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of tinnitus and its associated risk factors. Method: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Denpasar City, Gianyar Regency, and Badung Regency for one year. Patients who visited the ENT doctors' practices in these areas were interviewed with prepared instruments. The patients were then subjected to clinical and audiometric examinations. The data will be analyzed descriptively to get an overview of tinnitus's sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Result: A total of 101 participants were included in this study. Most tinnitus patients were unilateral on the left side of the ear. The most common sound is ringing, up to 70.3% of 101 research subjects, followed by sound types such as pulse and roaring sound. Furthermore, the frequency and amplitude of tinnitus sounds are quite varied, but the majority is dominated by high frequencies (3000 - 8000Hz). Based on the ear affected, the largest number of tinnitus sufferers were found in the left ear (47.0%). In this study, 82 people (81.2%) had a history of frequently using earphones, while 19 other people never used earphones in everyday life. Among all participants, 95 people (94.1%) were not exposed to noise at work. Conclusion: The clinical characteristics of the tinnitus sound type were mostly ringing sounds, followed by pulse-like sounds and buzzing sounds. The frequency and amplitude of tinnitus sounds quite varied. Stress factors and the use of earphones occur in most tinnitus sufferers.

Tinnitus is an auditory symptom characterized by the perception of sound withoutan external source and is often associated with occupational noise exposure.This study aimed to analyze the possible characteristics of tinnitus in workersexposed to occupational noise. This is a systematic literature review conductedby researchers who independently performed the search and analysis of articles.Searches were conducted in the PubMed, Embase, Latin American and CaribbeanHealth Sciences Literature (LILACS), Scopus, and Web of Science databases aswell as Google Scholar, used as a source of gray literature. The review questionwas: “What are the characteristics of tinnitus in workers exposed tooccupational noise?” Descriptors were selected from the Medical Subject Headingsand the Health Sciences Descriptors. A total of 1,002 studies were identified,and after analysis, only 7 were included in the review. Studies indicated thattinnitus was predominantly perceived in both ears, with a high-pitched tone.Loudness was classified as mild to moderate. The type of tinnitus was describedas a “whistle” or “hissing.” Periodicity was mostly intermittent. In individualsexposed to occupational noise, tinnitus is bilateral, high-pitched, mild tomoderate in loudness, tonal, and intermittent. Monitoring tinnitus and itscharacteristics in workers is essential for auditory and mental health.

IntroductionThe severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has brought up reports of an increase in new cases of tinnitus and changes in chronic and/or preexisting episodes. Nevertheless, there is no established data on the characteristics of tinnitus and its correlation with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).ObjectiveTo analyze the characteristics of tinnitus in subjects affected by COVID-19 while detailing the correlation between these two factors.Data SynthesisWe found 327 articles, 37 of which were selected: 11 cross-sectional studies, 4 case-control studies, 3 cohort studies, and 19 observational studies. The sum of the samples totaled 399,524 patients included in the present review. The prevalence of new tinnitus varied from 0.2% to 96.2%. Most articles provided incomplete information or were missing information. Systemic arterial hypertension was the most common underlying disease. Finally, we found a predominance of hearing loss and olfactory and taste disorders, followed by fever and cough.ConclusionThe prevalence of new tinnitus ranged from 0.2 to 96.2%, whereas the prevalence of preexisting tinnitus varied from 8 to 76.2%. It was not possible to satisfactorily assess the characteristics of tinnitus. Therefore, a direct correlation between tinnitus and COVID-19 could not be determined, as this symptom may be influenced by other factors.

The main goal of this study was to assess the prevalence and characteristics of tinnitus among students after exposure to leisure noise. In addition, the effects of tinnitus on otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) in participants suffering from chronic tinnitus were evaluated. The study consisted of two parts. First, a questionnaire regarding leisure noise exposure and tinnitus was completed. Second, the hearing status of the subjects suffering from chronic tinnitus was evaluated and compared with a matched control group (CG). Furthermore, the psychoacoustical characteristics of their tinnitus in the chronic tinnitus group (TG) were established. The questionnaire was answered by 151 respondents. Seven persons suffering from chronic tinnitus were examined further in the second part of the study. Transient tinnitus was observed in 73.5% of the respondents after leisure noise exposure and 6.6% experienced chronic tinnitus. Transient and chronic tinnitus had similar characteristics, as established by the questionnaire. The amplitude of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions and distortion product otoacoustic emissions was reduced and the amount of efferent suppression was smaller in the TG as compared with the CG. Tinnitus induced by leisure noise is observed frequently in young adults. The characteristics of tinnitus cannot predict whether it will have a transient or rather a chronic nature. In subjects suffering from tinnitus, subclinical damage that cannot be detected by audiometry can be demonstrated by measuring OAEs. These findings underpin the importance of educating youth about the risks of noise exposure during leisure activities.

Tinnitus is the perception of sound when no external objective noise is present. It is not defined as an illness, but rather a symptom of an underlying process. Although it is a widely prevalent and distressing otologic issue, its pathological mechanism is not entirely known. The present paper aims to discover if tinnitus characteristics can guide us in the diagnosis of the pathology that produces it. This paper uses literature review approach from various publications, including PubMed and The International Tinnitus Journal which include discussed elements related to classification of tinnitus, characteristics of tinnitus, aetiology of different types of tinnitus, and patient's description of tinnitus. The study was conducted between December 2021 and June 2022 and included publications dated from 1992 until 2022. The focus was on the characteristics of tinnitus and their capability to guide the diagnosis process. 30 publications were found suitable for this research and described the proper characteristics of tinnitus and their significance in the diagnosis process. The characteristics of tinnitus do not have the ability to firmly diagnose the pathology which determines tinnitus, yet it may guide the diagnosis.

Characteristics of tinnitus found in anemia patients and analysis of population-based survey

ObjectiveThis study evaluated gender differences in the relationship between psychiatric distress and subjective tinnitus severity.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 134 female and 114 male patients who visited the otology outpatient clinic at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital for tinnitus from February to July 2015. Patients completed a series of instruments, including the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, Korean version of Brief Encounter Psychosocial Instrument (BEPSI-K), and visual analogue scales assessing various tinnitus characteristics (loudness, awareness, annoyance, and effect on life).ResultsTinnitus severity did not significantly differ between the gender groups (p=0.632), and it correlated significantly with tinnitus characteristics and psychiatric distress. Partial correlations between tinnitus severity and depressive symptoms were stronger in males (r=0.411, p<0.01) than in females (r=0.304, p<0.01) while controlling for duration of tinnitus and tinnitus characteristics. However, stress (BEPSI-K) was positively correlated with tinnitus severity in only males (r=0.463, p<0.01). A multiple regression analysis revealed that effect of tinnitus on life, depressive symptoms, and stress were significantly associated with tinnitus severity in males, whereas only tinnitus annoyance and depressive symptoms were associated with tinnitus severity in females.ConclusionTinnitus severity was significantly correlated with depressive symptoms and stress, and there were gender differences in the relationship between tinnitus severity and psychiatric components. It is necessary to be vigilant of psychiatric symptoms among patients with tinnitus who visit the otology outpatient clinic, especially for male patients.

Little is known about the trajectory of tinnitus over time. This study addressed (1) how often tinnitus remitted in patients with chronic tinnitus; (2) how subjective reported tinnitus characteristics, such as loudness, laterality, and type and measures of burden, such as tinnitus distress, depression, and quality of life, changes over time; (3) how often tinnitus-specific treatments were undertaken and the prevalence of comorbidities, (4) if the number of treatments and comorbidities were associated to changes in tinnitus distress over time. Data from 388 patients with chronic tinnitus who visited a tertiary tinnitus clinic between 2012 and 2017 were interrogated via a mail survey in 2018. Tinnitus characteristics were measured with the Tinnitus Sample Case History Questionnaire and numeric rating scales; tinnitus distress with Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and the Tinnitus Questionnaire (TQ), depression with the Major Depression Inventory and Quality of life with the World Health Organisation Quality of Life BREF at both time points and the clinical global impression scale. Comorbidities experienced and undertaken treatments were assessed with an in-house survey. Three participants (0.8% of the sample) reported tinnitus remission between both assessments. A decrease in the THI and TQ, and numeric ratings for tinnitus severity, annoyance, unpleasantness, and discomfort was observed, but no differences in tinnitus characteristics, depression, quality of life or overall health status. 64% presented at least one comorbidity, and 88% sought at least on tinnitus-specific treatment. Common comorbidities were psychological and sleeping problems, and the most common interventions were going to the dentist, taking medications, and wearing hearing aids. Our results suggest that full remission of tinnitus is a rare condition, that tinnitus distress on average decreases over time, and that tinnitus characteristics, quality of life, and depression tend to remain unaltered. The high number of interventions and comorbidities displayed minimal association to the changes in tinnitus distress, highlighting the substantial and durable burden of tinnitus sufferers.

Background: Tinnitus is a rather prevalent, quite heterogeneous, and difficult to treat auditory disorder. The aim of this article is to provide the design and results of a cross-sectional study related to audiological and tinnitus features in a group of 170 Spanish patients. Methods: Audiometric characteristics were assessed on the basis of the pure-tone audiometry of both ears in 170 tinnitus patients and 85 control subjects. The audiometric status of each tinnitus participant was assessed on the basis of the average auditory threshold (AAT) in the whole frequency range (from 125 Hz to 8 kHz), and low (from 125 Hz to 2 kHz) and high (from 3 kHz to 8 kHz)-frequency intervals. Tinnitus features were evaluated through personal interview with patients and included tinnitus duration, laterality, pitch, sound, and distress (Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, THI). Correlational analysis was carried out between audiological (AAT) and tinnitus (THI) variables. Results: A very weak Spearman rank correlation factor is found between both variables. Conclusions: The subjective outcome of tinnitus distress (THI) was not correlated with the objective measure of hearing loss (AAT) in our cohort.

This study investigated the prevalence and characteristics of tinnitus in 331 children with profound hearing impairment. Tinnitus implies an auditory perception of internal origin (noise) rarely heard by others. In view of the medical significance of tinnitus in adults, it is reasonable to believe that the same in children may have significant implications for medical and rehabilitative management. In the current study, one out of every three children had tinnitus. This finding raises some professional challenges regarding the effect of tinnitus on the affected children's behavior and performance in school.

Background: Tinnitus is a common audiological complaint with a multifaceted etiology. Understanding its prevalence and contributing factors is crucial for effective management. However, the overall prevalence and characteristics of tinnitus in the Saudi population remain largely unknown. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the frequency of tinnitus, explore related demographics, assess the potential associations between tinnitus and relevant clinical factors, and explore the impact of tinnitus on mental health and daily activities. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in healthcare facilities, community centers, and online platforms from March 2024 to December 2024 in Taif, Saudi Arabia. Data on demographic characteristics, the prevalence and characteristics of tinnitus, clinical history, lifestyle factors, and the impact of tinnitus were collected. Results: The study included 403 participants, with a tinnitus prevalence of 33% (n = 134). Tinnitus was found to be more prevalent among participants with histories of prolonged noise exposure (P = 0.000), hypertension (P = 0.023), and depression (P = 0.007). No significant associations were found between tinnitus and age or sex. Conclusion: The findings of this study underscore the high prevalence of tinnitus in the Taif population and its significant impact on affected individuals. The associations between tinnitus and noise exposure, cardiovascular health, and mental health are particularly noteworthy. These findings provide valuable insights for the development of comprehensive management strategies to improve tinnitus outcomes.

The characteristics and underlying mechanisms of tinnitus remain more elusive in the pediatric population than in adults. We investigated the prevalence of tinnitus, its characteristics, and associated factors, with a focus on psychoemotional problems in adolescents. Cross-sectional study METHODS: In total, 962 adolescents were surveyed for tinnitus and possibly related otologic and socioeconomic factors. The participants completed a visual analog scale (VAS) pertaining to various aspects of tinnitus, as well as the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), State Anxiety Inventory for Children, Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (TAIC), Internet Addiction Test, Conners' Abbreviated Parent Rating Scale, and a learning disability score. Characteristics of tinnitus were analyzed, and psychoemotional and other factors were compared between tinnitus and nontinnitus groups. Approximately one-third of subjects reported experiencing tinnitus. A family history of tinnitus, subjective hearing loss, dizziness, and CDI and TAIC abnormalities were significantly associated with tinnitus. In the tinnitus-always group, tinnitus showed significant relationships with subjective hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and VAS, CDI, and TAIC scores. The results suggest that about one-third of adolescents experience tinnitus, which may be related to psychoemotional factors. In particular, anxiety and depression may be important factors to consider in managing tinnitus in adolescents. Further study of tinnitus in adolescents, including efforts toward diagnosis and management, is needed to determine whether there is a causal relationship with anxiety and depression, and the extent to which adverse outcomes may be associated with these psychoemotional factors. 4 Laryngoscope, 127:2113-2119, 2017.

The extent and levels of tinnitus in children of central Ankara

The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and characteristics of tinnitus in otosclerosis and to evaluate the effects of stapes surgery on the course of this symptom. Hospital ear, nose, and throat department. Sixty-two patients (65 ears) scheduled to undergo stapes surgery were prospectively enrolled in the study. The incidence and characteristics of tinnitus were recorded using a specific questionnaire before surgery and 1 and 6 months after surgery. The frequency range of the tinnitus was noted during standard audiometric examination. Audiometric data were recorded following AAO-HNS guidelines. All patients underwent stapes surgery (either stapedectomy or stapedotomy). Tinnitus was present at the time of surgery in 74% of the patients. It was severely disabling for patients in 24.6% of the cases. In patients who were preoperatively free of tinnitus, no tinnitus was noted in the postoperative period (1 and 6 months). In patients with preoperative tinnitus, tinnitus ceased in 55.9%, decreased in 32.4%, remained the same in 8.8%, and increased in 2.9% 6 months after surgery. Statistical analysis did not reveal any significant prognostic factors regarding the course of tinnitus. In otosclerotic patients who will undergo stapedectomy to improve hearing, stapes surgery may also improve tinnitus in most of them.