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Is Zinc Deficiency a Risk Factor for Tinnitus? An Analysis from Chronic Idiopathic Tinnitus Patients with Normal
Soo Jeong Choi1,2, Sun-Uk Lee2,3, Jiwon Chang1
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Background:
To investigate whether zinc deficiency is associated with tinnitus severity in patients with chronic idiopathic tinnitus and normal hearing.
Methods:
This prospective, cross-sectional study included 107 patients with chronic idiopathic tinnitus and normal hearing selected from 409 patients evaluated at the tinnitus clinic between January 2021 and December 2023. Serum zinc levels, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) scores, and tinnitus loudness matching tests were assessed. Zinc deficiency was defined as serum zinc <66 μg/dL.
Results:
Of 107 patients, 22 (20.6%) had zinc deficiency. Zinc-deficient patients showed significantly higher total THI scores (48.09 ± 25.95 vs. 36.28 ± 21.91, P=.032) and functional component scores (19.09 ± 11.87 vs. 13.13 ± 9.68, P=.016). Correlation analysis revealed negative correlations between continuous serum zinc levels and all THI components, though none reached statistical significance. Objective tinnitus loudness did not differ significantly between groups.
Conclusion:
Zinc deficiency is associated with greater tinnitus severity in patients with normal hearing, particularly affecting functional aspects of daily life. Screening for zinc deficiency and targeted supplementation might offer a potential therapeutic approach for this specific patient population.
