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Sleep disturbance associated with chronic tinnitus
Biological Psychiatry
|July 1, 1993
Summary
Chronic tinnitus frequently causes sleep disturbances, including insomnia and fatigue, significantly worsening tinnitus perception and depressive symptoms. Many patients experience poor sleep but rarely seek medical evaluation for it.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Sleep Medicine
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Sleep disturbance is a prevalent issue among individuals with tinnitus.
- Tinnitus-related insomnia and depression exacerbate tinnitus discomfort and reduce tolerance.
- Noise-induced permanent hearing loss (NIHL) is a common cause of chronic tinnitus in military personnel.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the prevalence and severity of sleep disturbances in patients with chronic tinnitus.
- To investigate the correlation between sleep disturbance, tinnitus severity, and depressive symptoms.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 80 military personnel with tinnitus associated with NIHL was assessed.
- The Mini Sleep Questionnaire (MSQ) was used to measure sleep disturbance.
- Sleep records and polysomnography data were analyzed for a subset of 10 patients.
Main Results:
- 77% of tinnitus patients reported higher sleep disturbance scores (MSQ) compared to normal controls.
- Common sleep complaints included delayed sleep, frequent awakenings, and fatigue.
- Higher sleep disturbance scores correlated with increased tinnitus severity and depressive symptomatology.
Conclusions:
- Chronic tinnitus significantly impacts sleep quality, with insomnia and fatigue being prominent issues.
- Sleep disturbances in tinnitus patients are linked to worse tinnitus perception and mood.
- Despite frequent sleep complaints, few tinnitus patients seek formal sleep evaluations.