Retrospective evaluation of the association between climate and seasonal change with idiopathic tinnitus

Abstract

ABSTRACT Tinnitus, affecting 10–15% of adults, is a multifactorial disorder with a challenging etiology. It is often associated with sex, age, obesity, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Current literature suggests that tinnitus could be associated with seasonal variability, exhibiting seasonal patterns. Although tinnitus is suggested to follow a seasonal trend conclusive evidence associating its onset to seasonality is lacking. This study aims to evaluate the impact of seasonal variability on the prevalence of tinnitus. Data was collected from MDClone platform regarding patients admitted to ‘Clalit medical services' in Israel's southern district due to the first emergence of tinnitus symptoms between the years 2005–2020. The comparison was relaying on difference in gender, age, known risk factors for tinnitus, and date of onset of tinnitus. A total of 56,315 patients were included in this cohort study. Winter is the most common season for first admissions due to tinnitus symptoms including 16,094 patients (29%). Summer (Beta = –3.037, p = 0.012) and autumn (Beta = –3.764, p < 0.001) show a negative effect on minimal mean temperature which suggest lower tinnitus incidence in a higher temperature. Humidity and maximal mean temperature did not show any statistical significance. Except for age (mean 51.73 ± 17.49), no statistical significance was found in the prevalence of risk factors related to tinnitus. In conclusion Our findings shows that tinnitus is associated with seasonality and its trends. The incidence of tinnitus is declining over the past two decades following a peak in the winter, with age being the only significant risk factor.