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Tinnitus and 3-Year Change in Audiometric Hearing Thresholds
Sharon G Curhan1,2, Christopher Halpin3, Molin Wang1,4,5
1Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Persistent tinnitus significantly increases the risk of developing hearing loss over three years, even in individuals with normal baseline hearing. Bothersome tinnitus shows a stronger association with elevated hearing thresholds.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Otolaryngology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Tinnitus and hearing loss frequently co-occur, but their temporal relationship is not fully understood.
- Investigating the longitudinal link between tinnitus and hearing threshold changes is crucial for understanding auditory health progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the longitudinal association between persistent tinnitus and bothersome tinnitus.
- To assess the risk of 3-year elevation in audiometric hearing thresholds in relation to tinnitus presence and severity.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal cohort study involving 3106 women from the Nurses' Health Study II (2012-2018).
- Tinnitus data collected via biennial questionnaires; hearing thresholds assessed using pure-tone audiometry.
- Logistic regression analysis used to determine multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (MVORs) for hearing threshold elevation.
Main Results:
- Persistent tinnitus was linked to an increased risk of 3-year hearing threshold elevation across multiple frequencies (e.g., 1.63 (1.25, 2.12) at 8 kHz for ≥5-dB elevation).
- The association was notably stronger for bothersome tinnitus, with higher odds ratios for hearing threshold elevation (e.g., 2.97 (1.50, 5.89) at 4 kHz for ≥5-dB elevation).
- Elevated risk was observed even in participants with clinically normal hearing thresholds at baseline.
Conclusions:
- Persistent tinnitus is associated with a significantly higher risk of developing elevated hearing thresholds over three years.
- The risk of hearing threshold elevation is substantially greater for individuals experiencing bothersome tinnitus.
- Regular monitoring of hearing sensitivity is recommended for individuals with tinnitus, including those with normal audiometric results.
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