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A physiological correlate for the intolerance to both internal and external sounds
Sylvie Hébert1, Philippe Paiement, Sonia J Lupien
1Université de Montréal and Centre de recherche, Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada. sylvie.hebert@umontreal.ca
Hearing Research
|March 31, 2004
Summary
Severe tinnitus is linked to higher stress levels, indicated by elevated cortisol. This physiological evidence supports the connection between internal tinnitus sounds and external sound intolerance.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Clinical observations suggest stress exacerbates tinnitus, but empirical evidence is limited.
- Previous studies relied on subjective reports, lacking objective physiological stress measures.
- The relationship between chronic tinnitus, stress hormones, and sound intolerance requires objective investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To objectively assess the relationship between tinnitus and stress using cortisol levels.
- To investigate if severe tinnitus acts as a stressor, leading to elevated cortisol.
- To determine if severe tinnitus correlates with intolerance to external sounds.
Main Methods:
- Measured basal cortisol levels via saliva samples in participants' natural environments.
- Assessed tinnitus severity using tinnitus-related distress scales.
- Evaluated intolerance to external sounds using psychometric measures.
- Compared participants with and without tinnitus, matched for education and health.
Main Results:
- Individuals with high tinnitus-related distress exhibited chronically elevated cortisol levels.
- The high distress group also showed greater intolerance to external sounds compared to controls.
- No significant differences in cortisol or sound intolerance were found between low distress tinnitus and control groups.
Conclusions:
- Provides the first physiological evidence linking tinnitus severity to elevated stress (cortisol).
- Demonstrates a correlation between intolerance to internal (tinnitus) and external sounds.
- Supports the clinical observation that severe tinnitus is associated with significant stress.