Tinnitus and suicide

Abstract

A retrospective study of tinnitus sufferers who had committed suicide was undertaken. A questionnaire was compiled, and circulated world-wide. Adequate information was obtained on 28 suicides. An association between suicide and left-sided tinnitus reported previously, was not conclusively replicated. In fact, no particular tinnitus parameter, or associated audiological symptom was over-represented in the suicide series. Demographically, tinnitus suicide victims were characterized by being male, elderly, and socially isolated. There was a high prevalence of psychiatric morbidity, in particular depression (70%). A suicide attempt within the year preceding suicide occurred in five individuals.