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Multisensory environmental sensitivity in patients with chronic tinnitus
Laura Danioth1, Gladys Brotschi1, Ilona Croy2
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, lnselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern CH-3010, Switzerland.
Journal of Psychosomatic Research
|June 14, 2020
Summary
Individuals with chronic tinnitus experience heightened sensitivity to environmental noise and chemical stimuli. High anxiety levels appear to predict this multisensory hypersensitivity, impacting quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Audiology
- Psychology
Background:
- Chronic tinnitus is a prevalent condition often associated with distress.
- The sensory processing and environmental sensitivities in tinnitus patients require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate noise and chemosensory sensitivity in chronic tinnitus patients.
- To explore the relationship between these sensitivities and perceived stress, depression, and anxiety.
- To compare these factors between individuals with and without tinnitus.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 75 tinnitus patients and 75 controls.
- Utilized standardized questionnaires for distress, quality of life, stress, anxiety, depression, and sensory sensitivities.
- Subgroup analysis included objective olfactory and intranasal trigeminal function tests.
Main Results:
- Tinnitus patients exhibited significantly higher noise sensitivity (NSS) and chemosensory sensitivity (CSS).
- No differences were found in objective chemosensory function tests.
- Elevated stress, anxiety, and depression levels in tinnitus patients partially correlated with CSS and NSS.
Conclusions:
- Chronic tinnitus is linked to multisensory environmental hypersensitivity.
- Anxiety is identified as a potential predictor of this environmental vulnerability in tinnitus patients.
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