Clinical and audiological comparison of tinnitus in men and women

Tinnitus has many specific manifestations and possible pathologies. However, there is limited information on the clinical and audiological differences of tinnitus in males and females.

This study investigated the clinical and audiological differences of tinnitus in males and females.

The medical records of 745 consecutive patients who were examined and treated for tinnitus at a single institution in Korea from 2019 to 2025 were retrospectively reviewed.

Females had higher Distortion-Product Otoacoustic Emission values at 3, 4, and 6 kHz (all p < 0.05) and higher frequency Transient-Evoked Otoacoustic Emission values at 2, 3, and 4 kHz (all p < 0.001). Females also had a higher Tinnitus Handicap Inventory score (p = 0.022) and lower PTA threshold values on average and at the three highest frequencies (all p < 0.05). Auditory Brainstem Response analysis showed that latencies of waves I, III, and V were significantly shorter in females (all p < 0.05).

Males and females with tinnitus had different clinical and audiological characteristics. Consideration of these differences during evaluation of patients with tinnitus and an improved understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of tinnitus in men and women are essential for achieving more effective and individualized management of these patients.