Tinnitus and Its Comorbidities: A Comprehensive Analysis of Their Relationships

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the demographic and clinical features of tinnitus individuals and analyse its correlation with associated comorbidities. Methods: The study population comprised 147 participants (66 men, 81 women; median age: 52 years) who experienced persistent tinnitus. Comprehensive assessments were carried out, including audiological examinations, scoring using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, and thorough medical evaluations. Statistical analyses were applied to explore the correspondences between tinnitus, hearing loss, and various comorbidities, including cardiovascular conditions, metabolic disorders, gastroesophageal reflux disease, autoimmune diseases, pulmonary diseases, and allergic rhinitis. Results: The analysis indicated a slight predominance of females, comprising 55.1% of the participants, with a median onset of tinnitus around the age of 50. Chronic tinnitus was noted, lasting approximately 46 months. Hearing loss was noted in 52.4% of patients, with bilateral tinnitus being the most prevalent type, affecting 44.2% of individuals. Dyslipidaemia was found to significantly predict bilateral tinnitus (p = 0.003*) and left-sided tinnitus (p = 0.023*). Additionally, atherosclerosis was associated with hearing impairment (p = 0.006*) and right-sided tinnitus (p = 0.044*). Dyslipidaemia was also significantly correlated with elevated intensity values (p = 0.04*). Furthermore, atherosclerosis was significantly associated with higher levels of hearing loss (p < 0.00001*). Conclusions: The study emphasises the complex nature of tinnitus and its links to cardiovascular, metabolic, and other comorbidities, highlighting the necessity for comprehensive, interdisciplinary management.

Keywords: Tinnitus Handicap Inventory; auditory impairment; comorbidities; hearing loss; tinnitus.

Figure 1

The distribution of certain comorbidities within the study population. The numbers in the pie chart represent the number of patients.

Figure 2

Boxplots illustrating tinnitus intensities in participants with hypertension, DM, thyroid disorders, atherosclerosis, dyslipidaemia, psychiatric disorders, GERD, and autoimmune diseases, as well as those without these comorbidities. The boxes indicate the interquartile range of the data, while the whiskers show the lower and upper quartiles. The black line that separates the boxes marks the median values. Differences between groups were analysed utilising the Mann–Whitney U test. DM = diabetes mellitus; GERD = gastroesophageal reflux disease. The significant results (p < 0.05) are indicated with an asterisk (*). The degrees with the superscript numbers indicate the outliers.

Figure 3

Boxplots illustrating total THI scores in participants with hypertension, DM, thyroid disorders, atherosclerosis, dyslipidaemia, psychiatric disorders, GERD, and autoimmune diseases, as well as those without these comorbidities. The boxes indicate the interquartile range of the data, while the whiskers show the lower and upper quartiles. The black line that separates the boxes marks the median values. Differences between groups were analysed utilising the Mann–Whitney U test. DM = diabetes mellitus; GERD = gastroesophageal reflux disease; THI = Tinnitus Handicap Inventory The degrees with the superscript numbers indicate the outliers.

Figure 4

Boxplots illustrating hearing levels in participants with hypertension, DM, thyroid disorders, atherosclerosis, dyslipidaemia, psychiatric disorders, GERD, and autoimmune diseases, as well as those without these comorbidities. The boxes indicate the interquartile range of the data, while the whiskers show the lower and upper quartiles. The black line that separates the boxes marks the median values. Differences between groups were analysed utilising the Mann–Whitney U test. The significant results (p < 0.05) are indicated with an asterisk (*). GERD = gastroesophageal reflux disease.