Evaluating tinnitus in industrial hearing loss prevention programs

This study evaluated the interference of tinnitus on the quality of life for noise-exposed workers enrolled in a hearing conservation program. Noise measurements, a questionnaire, a Brazilian version of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), and pure-tone audiometry were conducted with 52 participants (mean age, 29 years) who suffered from tinnitus. THI results indicated that tinnitus had the greatest influence in the functional scale (54%). Significant correlations (p < .05) were observed between the periodicity of tinnitus and noise exposure level; degree of tinnitus and exposure to chemicals; total THI score and the scores of the catastrophic, emotional, and functional scales; score of the emotional scale and the functional scale; and results of the THI and the general state of health. An evaluation of tinnitus and its impact could benefit tinnitus sufferers in the workplace.