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Tinnitus Severity and Auditory Brainstem Response: A Correlative Study
Sanjay Kumar1, Anghusman Dutta1, Rashmi Natraj2
1Department of ENT-HNS, Command Hospital Airforce, Bangalore, Karnataka India.
Introduction:
Tinnitus, defined as the perception of sound without an external stimulus, affects approximately 10-15% of the world population, often resulting in significant emotional and functional impairments. Despite advancements in diagnostic approaches, the relationship between subjective tinnitus severity and objective auditory brainstem response (ABR) findings remains poorly understood. This study evaluates these associations to enhance understanding of tinnitus pathophysiology and formulate clinical practice.
Methodology:
This prospective, observational study included 50 adults (aged 18-65 years) with chronic tinnitus lasting six months or longer and normal, mild, or moderate hearing loss (hearing thresholds ≤ 55 dB HL), as determined by pure-tone audiometry. Tinnitus severity was assessed using the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI), evaluating domains such as intrusiveness, emotional distress, and quality of life. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing analysed wave latencies (I, III, V) and inter-peak intervals (I-III, III-V, I-V). Correlations between TFI scores, ABR parameters, and demographic factors, including age and tinnitus duration, were examined.
Results:
TFI scores demonstrated severe impacts on quality of life, intrusiveness, and emotional distress. ABR testing revealed abnormalities in 25% of participants, particularly prolonged Wave V latency and I-V interval. Significant correlations were observed between Intrusiveness and Wave V latency (r = 0.35, p = 0.018) and between Emotional Distress and the I-V interval (r = 0.40, p = 0.010). Older participants and those with longer tinnitus duration exhibited higher severity and more pronounced ABR abnormalities.
Conclusion:
This study establishes a significant association between subjective tinnitus severity and objective auditory brainstem dysfunction, emphasizing the neural basis of tinnitus. The findings highlight the importance of integrating subjective and objective assessments in clinical evaluation to guide personalized therapeutic strategies.
Supplementary Information:
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12070-025-05616-z.
