Correlation Between Life Stress and Tinnitus Severity

To evaluate the association between tinnitus severity and validated measures of life stress.

An estimated 740 million people worldwide experience tinnitus, with approximately 17% reporting severe symptoms associated with reduced quality of life. In 1985, Gerber et al. failed to identify a correlation between tinnitus severity and life stress and suggested limited value in psychotherapy-based interventions. However, current guidelines widely recommend stress-reduction strategies such as cognitive behavioral therapy and meditation for tinnitus management.

A retrospective cross-sectional analysis of patients undergoing tinnitus evaluation at a Tertiary Academic Center between 2011-2022 was performed. Statistical analyses included T-test, linear regression, and ordinary least squares regression.

A total of 785 patients (mean age 53.9 ± 15.4 years; 52.6% male) were included. Constant tinnitus was reported by 76% of patients, though tinnitus constancy showed no correlation with Holmes-Rahe (HR) stress scores or THI/TRQ scores. Ringing was the most commonly reported tinnitus percept (52%), followed by other (39%), buzzing (25%), tonal (11%), humming (10%), and static (9%), with no percept type correlating with stress or severity scores. OLS regression demonstrated a significant positive correlation between tinnitus awareness, THI, and TRQ scores and HR risk scores, a subcategory predicting stress-related illness. Normal high-frequency bilateral DPOAEs were associated with higher THI/TRQ scores compared to absent, abnormal, or uncertain responses (p < 0.05). No associations were observed with low- or mid-frequency DPOAEs.

Tinnitus severity is positively correlated with higher risk scores for stress-related illness and normal hearing in the high frequencies.