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. 2010 Jan-Feb;76(1):18-24.
doi: 10.1590/S1808-86942010000100004.

The impact of gender, age and hearing loss on tinnitus severity

Patricia Ciminelli Linhares Pinto  1 , Tanit Ganz Sanchez, Shiro Tomita
Affiliations

The impact of gender, age and hearing loss on tinnitus severity

Patricia Ciminelli Linhares Pinto et al. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2010 Jan-Feb.

Abstract

Tinnitus is a symptom present in approximately 15% of the world population. Most patients are between 40 and 80 years of age; the prevalence above 60 reaches 33%. About 20% have moderate to severe impact in the quality of life but the factors associated with the tinnitus annoyance are not completely known.

Aim: The objective of this study is to evaluate the relationship between age, gender and hearing loss on tinnitus annoyance.

Materials and methods: 68 patients were evaluated at the tinnitus center at our hospital, from March 2007 to march 2008, with a detailed interview, complete otolaryngological examination, the Portuguese version of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory and pure tone audiometry.

Results: Age varied from 24 to 83 (mean=59); the mean THI value was 39 (females: 36; males: 44). THI grades were: slight: 32.3%; mild: 19.1%; moderate: 20.6%; severe: 13.2% and catastrophic: 14.7%. No significant correlation was found between gender (p=0.30), age (p=0.77) hearing loss (p>0.05 for all averages analyzed) and tinnitus severity.

Conclusion: Gender, age and hearing loss do not influence tinnitus annoyance, using the THI.

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Figures

Graph 1
Graph 1
THI grading of the patients assessed at work, broken down by gender.
Graph 2
Graph 2
THI levels, broken down by age range.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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