Abstract
Introduction:
Tinnitus is a common disorder that occurs frequently across all strata of population and has an important health concern. Tinnitus is often associated with different forms of hearing loss of varying severity.
Objective:
The present study aimed to identify the association of tinnitus with hearing loss in various otological disorders of a South Indian population.
Methods:
A total of 3255 subjects referred to the MAA ENT Hospital, Hyderabad, from 2004 to 2014, affected with various otological diseases have been included in the present cross-sectional study. Diagnosis of the diseases was confirmed by an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist using detailed medical and clinical examination. Statistical analysis was performed using the χ 2 test and binary logistic regression.
Results:
Tinnitus was observed in 29.3% (956) of the total study subjects that showed an increased prevalence in greater than 40 years of age. There was a significant increase in risk of tinnitus with middle (OR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.02-3.16) and inner (OR = 3.00, 95% CI = 1.65-5.45) inner ear diseases. It was noted that 96.9% (n = 927) of the tinnitus subjects was associated with hearing loss. Otitis media (60.9%), presbycusis (16.6%) and otosclerosis (14.3%) are the very common otological disorders leading to tinnitus. Tinnitus was significantly associated with higher degree of hearing loss in chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) subjects.
Conclusion:
The present study could identify the most prevalent otological risk factors leading to development of tinnitus with hearing loss in a South Indian population.
KEYWORDS
Tinnitus; Hearing loss; Chronic suppurative otitis media; Otitis media with effusion; Otosclerosis
