Quality of Life in Individuals with Tinnitus

Background Tinnitus, the perception of sound without an external acoustic stimulus, significantly impacts quality of life (QoL) and is often associated with hearing loss. Despite its prevalence, the psychosocial burden of tinnitus remains understudied in many populations. Objective This study evaluates tinnitus-related handicap and its association with emotional and social well-being in order to enhance treatment approaches. Method A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 114 patients presenting with tinnitus at Dhulikhel Hospital, Nepal. The Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) was used to assess severity, categorized as slight, mild, moderate, severe, or catastrophic. Audiometric evaluations classified hearing loss as conductive or sensorineural. Pearson's chi-square test was performed using SPSS version 21, with significance set at p < 0.05. Result The median age of participants was 40 years (IQR: 20.25), with a female predominance (60.5%). Hearing loss was present in 50% of participants, predominantly sensorineural (82.8%) and bilateral (62.1%). Tinnitus Handicap Inventory scores indicated moderate handicap in 37.5%, severe in 15.8%, and catastrophic in 5.0%. No significant association was found between Tinnitus Handicap Inventory severity and age, sex, or hearing loss type. However, participants with hearing loss had nearly three times higher likelihood of being severe-to-catastrophic handicap [COR: 2.74, 95% CI: 1.25 - 5.99] (p-value = 0.011). Conclusion Tinnitus imposes a substantial psychosocial burden, particularly in individuals with concurrent hearing loss. The findings highlight the need for early psychological intervention and multidisciplinary management to mitigate tinnitus-related distress and improve quality of life.