Search

Objective: Young adults are at risk for hearing loss caused by exposure to loud music. Intervention at this stage provides opportunities to support lifelong hearing protection use. This study explores attitudes related to hearing, hearing loss, and hearing protection among university students. Design: Qualitative interview design, supplemented by quantitative questionnaire data. Study sample: 18 university students, aged 18–24 years. Results: Students were uncertain about mechanisms of noise-induced hearing loss, did not feel vulnerable to permanent hearing damage from loud music, were unconvinced of hearing protection efficacy, and reported barriers to hearing protection use. Students emphasised the positive effects of loud music and reported an increased likelihood of using hearing protection were it used by peers. Music students appeared more aware of the negative effects of loud music exposure. Students reported conflicting attitudes regarding government regulation of hearing protection use. Conclusion: Young adults require education about hearing protection from multiple, credible sources and need to understand the mechanisms behind noise-induced hearing loss in a way that makes it of high personal relevance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We aimed to assess the association between occupational noise exposure and tinnitus. Further, to assess whether the association depends on hearing status. Design: In this cross-sectional study, tinnitus (>1 h daily) was regressed on job exposure matrix (JEM)-based or self-reported occupational noise exposure, adjusted for confounders. Study sample: The 14,945 participants (42% men, 20–59 years) attended a population-based study in Norway (HUNT4, 2017-2019). Results: JEM-based noise exposure, assessed as equivalent continuous sound level normalised to 8-h working days (LEX 8 h), over the working career or as minimum 5 years ≥85 dB) was not associated with tinnitus. Years of exposure ≥80 dB (minimum one) was not associated with tinnitus. Self-reported high noise exposure (>15 h weekly ≥5 years) was associated with tinnitus overall and among persons with elevated hearing thresholds (prevalence ratio (PR) 1.3, 1.0–1.7), however not statistically significantly among persons with normal thresholds (PR 1.1, 0.8–1.5). Conclusions: Our large study showed no association between JEM-based noise exposure and tinnitus. This may to some extent reflect successful use of hearing protection. High self-reported noise exposure was associated with tinnitus, but not among normal hearing persons. This supports that noise-induced tinnitus to a large extent depends on audiometric hearing loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectivesMethodsResultsConclusionsThe primary objective was to examine duration of daily cochlear implant (CI) usage at 12 and 24 months post-operatively in single sided deafness (SSD). The secondary objective was to examine factors that could affect CI usage.Retrospective cohort of patients with SSD who received CI from January 2015 to March 2020. CI usage was evaluated at 12 and 24 months. Hearing loss duration, tinnitus scores and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were correlated with CI usage at 12 months.Usage data was available for 54 patients at 12 months and 38 patients at 24 months. The mean usage was 8.2 h/day (SD 4.2) at 12 months, 7.0 h/day (SD 5.1) at 24 months. 5 out of 54 (9.3%) and 7 out of 38 patients (18.4%) were non-users at 12 and 24 months post-operatively. An improved mean SNR score from pre-operative 4.4 dB (SD 2.8) to – 0.70 dB (SD 4.2) at 12 months post-operative was positively correlated with CI usage at 12 and 24 months. Hearing loss duration and tinnitus scores were not associated with CI usage.18.4% of our patients were non-users at 24 months. Mean usage at 24 months was 7.0 h/day. Improved hearing in noise at 12 months was correlated with better usage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Tinnitus is a phantom sound sensation without an external sound source. Due to its subjective and multifaceted nature it is measured using multi-item self-reported instruments. Many well-validated tinnitus-related questionnaires are available for clinical practice and scientific research, but so far no attention has been paid to their measurement invariance. The study aimed to examine measurement invariance of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory with regard to gender and hearing impairment, and to identify the items that show differential item functioning (DIF) across the groups. Design: This is a retrospective study using medical data from patients with tinnitus. They completed the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and underwent pure-tone audiometry. Study sample: 1106 adult patients with tinnitus (554 women and 552 men; 320 with normal hearing and 786 with hearing loss), aged 19–84 years. Results: In the analysis, multi-group confirmatory factor analysis, hybrid ordinal logistic regression, Kernel smoothing in Item Response Theory, and lasso regression were applied. Measurement invariance was demonstrated across gender, but across hearing status the measurement was non-invariant. Five items were found to have DIF. Conclusions: Researchers and clinicians should be aware of the potential risk of response bias when tinnitus severity is evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To establish the prevalence of tinnitus in adults who have sustained non-blast related traumatic brain injury (TBI), as well as the prevalence of tinnitus following TBI in the absence of hearing loss. A systematic search was carried out using MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL from January 1st 1990 to August 14th 2023. TBI, tinnitus and auditory findings were extracted from all eligible studies, and a descriptive synthesis performed. This systematic review was registered with PROSPERO (Registration number: CRD42022377637). Based on the Oxford Centre of Evidence-Based Medicine (OCEBM) (2011) criteria, the highest quality evidence identified was at Level 2b, with the bulk of the included studies predominantly populating the lower evidence tiers. While there was a substantial variability in the methods used to establish and report the presence of tinnitus, its occurrence following TBI was evident in adults with and without hearing loss. The need for prospective, longitudinal research into tinnitus following non-blast related TBI is evident. Such comprehensive studies hold the potential to inform and enhance the clinical diagnosis and management of this patient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tinnitus and uveitis have shared commonality in pathophysiology in terms of autoimmunity. However, no studies that have linked any association between the conditions of tinnitus and uveitis. Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted from the Taiwan National Health Insurance database in order to investigate whether tinnitus patients are at increased risk of uveitis. Patients newly diagnosed with tinnitus between 2001 and 2014 were recruited and followed up until 2018. The endpoint of interest was a diagnosis of uveitis. Results: A total of 31,034 tinnitus patients and 124,136 matched comparisons were analyzed. Tinnitus patients were found to have a significantly higher cumulative incidence for uveitis than those without the diagnosis of tinnitus with incidence rate of 1.68 (95% CI 1.55–1.82) per 10 000 person-months for tinnitus group and 1.48 (95% CI 1.42–1.54) per 10 000 person-months for non-tinnitus group. Conclusion: Tinnitus patients were found to have increased risk of developing uveitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractObjectiveDesignStudy sampleResultsConclusionTinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) has been widely used in tinnitus management. However, its efficacy is often assessed through subjective methods. Here, we aimed to assess potential neural changes following TRT using mismatch negativity (MMN).Chronic tinnitus (>6 months) patients participated in a six-month TRT program. We collected tinnitus psychoacoustic features and gathered the tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) before and after TRT. We also used a multi-featured paradigm, including frequency, intensity, duration, location and silent gap deviants, to elicit MMN response before and after TRT. Data were analyzed retrospectively.The study involved 26 chronic tinnitus patients.Post-TRT measurements showed that MMN amplitudes significantly increased for all deviant conditions (p ≤ .03). However, we did not find a significant difference in MMN latencies for all deviant conditions (p ≥ .13). The THI scores of the patients significantly decreased following the TRT program (p < 0.001). Our results reveal improved subjective tinnitus perception following the TRT program.These findings indicate that TRT might be a viable alternative in tinnitus management. The greater MMN amplitudes and improved subjective tinnitus perception raise the possibility that MMN can be a useful tool in tinnitus research and tinnitus patient follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractObjectiveDesignStudy sampleResultsConclusionsTo determine the prevalence and characteristics of problematic tinnitus in a representative United States (US) sample.Cross-sectional study of the NHANES database from 2011–2012 and 2015–2016.8029 records were included for analysis.The prevalence of any tinnitus was 16.32%. Only 1.38% reported tinnitus as a big problem or worse. Univariate analysis revealed a statistically significant relationship between tinnitus constancy and duration with severity, where more constant perception and longer duration was related to increased severity (p < 0.0001). Multivariable models showed a clear relationship of increased odds ratio (OR) of problematic tinnitus with constancy of tinnitus but not duration. Furthermore, multivariable models showed higher Body Mass Index (OR= 1.013, 95% CI: 0.99–1.03), sleep trouble (OR = 2.016, 95% CI: 1.52–2.66) and comorbidities (OR = 1.43, 95%CI: 1.06–1.94) were all associated with increased problematic tinnitus, but not non-problematic tinnitus.Our study demonstrated that the prevalence of problematic tinnitus is much lower than the prevalence of any tinnitus. There was also a relationship between BMI, sleep trouble, other comorbidities and increased odds of problematic tinnitus. Tinnitus severity was significantly related to constancy of perception but had a less clear relationship to duration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractPurposeMaterials and methodsResultsConclusion\nIMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThe Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) is a widely recognized measure for evaluating tinnitus and is frequently used in both therapeutic and research contexts. Unfortunately, TFI is currently not available in any Indian languages. In a multilingual country like India, cross-cultural adaptation, translation, and validation of such scales in regional languages are critical to improving their use for clinical and research purposes. Therefore, this study focused on translating and validating the TFI in Kannada for use among the Indian population.The original version of TFI was translated with the help of audiologists and linguistic experts who were proficient in Kannada. The translated version was content validation by five audiologists and a cognitive debriefing by native speakers to check the familiarity of words. The final version (TFI-K) was then administered to 181 participants with tinnitus. Along with the TFI, other scales like Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) were also obtained to check the convergent validity. The obtained data was then subjected to various statistical analyses like internal consistency, convergent and discriminant validity, and factor analysis.The TFI-K was found to have an excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.974) and good convergent validity (p < 0.001; r = 0.778) with THI-K. A principal component analysis with varimax rotation showed communalities ranging from 0.64 to 0.91. Scree plots with the TFI-K component showed a sharp decline after the first factor and approximately four factors above the eigenvalue of 1. The factor analysis results suggest that the TFI-K has a structurally intact 8-factor loading, with a few exceptions that are discussed in detail.The TFI-K has demonstrated remarkable dependability and satisfactory integrity, making it a valuable tool for assessment and treatment planning in clinical and research settings.Tinnitus is known to impinge multiple domains.Assessing multiple domains provides a comprehensive understanding of the impact of tinnitus.Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) has been cross-culturally translated into Kannada.Tinnitus Functional Index in Kannada (TFI-K) is reliable and valid and can be used clinically and in research.Tinnitus is known to impinge multiple domains.Assessing multiple domains provides a comprehensive understanding of the impact of tinnitus.Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) has been cross-culturally translated into Kannada.Tinnitus Functional Index in Kannada (TFI-K) is reliable and valid and can be used clinically and in research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tinnitus is a very common oto-neurological disorder of the perception of sound when no sound is present. To improve understanding of the scope, strengths and weaknesses of New Zealand tinnitus research, a critical scoping review was undertaken. The aim was to help develop priorities for future research. A review of the literature was undertaken using a 6-stage scoping review framework of Scopus and Pub Med were searched in May 2023 with the combination of following key word [Tinnitus] and country of affiliation [New Zealand]. The search of PubMed resulted in 198 articles and that of Scopus 337 articles. After initial consideration of title relevance to the study (165 from PubMed and 196 from Scopus) removal of duplicates and after reading the articles and adding from references, 208 studies were chosen for charting of data. Nine themes were identified and described: A. Epidemiology; B. Models; C. Studies in animals; D. Mechanisms; E. Assessment and prognosis; F. Pharmacotherapy; G. Neuromodulation; H. Sensory therapies; I. Clinical practice. An urgent priority for future tinnitus research in NZ must be to address the absence of cultural and ethnic diversity in participants and consideration of traditional knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) can affect both hearing and balance due to increased inner ear pressure. Aims/Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of increased inner ear pressure on hearing and balance in patients with IIH using auditory and vestibular tests. Material and Methods: Twenty-four IIH patients and 28 healthy controls underwent oVEMP, pure tone audiometry, tympanometry, and acoustic reflex tests pre-lumbar punctures. IIH patients received acetazolamide. Pre- and post-treatment results, tinnitus, and vertigo scores were compared. Post-treatment oVEMP and audiometry results were compared between groups. Results: Pre-treatment oVEMP showed a significant left N1 latency difference (p = 0.049). Post-treatment, left ear amplitude (p = 0.035) and both ear amplitude ratios (p = 0.044 and p = 0.047) increased significantly. Audiometry had no significant changes (p < 0.05). Tinnitus and vertigo scores decreased significantly (p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: Prolonged oVEMP latency suggests IIH may impact the brain stem and vestibular nerve, while increased amplitude values indicate peripheral vestibular involvement. IIH affects hearing across all frequencies, especially at 4000 Hz, impacting both hearing and balance. Significance: Understanding the effects of IIH on auditory and vestibular functions can guide effective treatments, improving quality of life for patients by addressing both hearing and balance issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims were to highlight noise levels on board and the health effects of noise on seafarers. Data was collected from multiple databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Ebsco Host. Initially, the search resulted in a total of 197 articles, 16 were chosen. Several ships were found which most sailors had noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) (n = 6). The engine room has been defined as having the highest level of noise. In addition, noise exposure was associated with hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep disturbances, communication difficulties, poor concentration, dizziness, depression, anxiety, headache, fatigue, and stress. Noise exposure is not the only factor that causes health problems: the duration of exposure while working, years of career as a maritime worker, age, lifestyle habits (smoking, alcohol consumption), and even hobbies related to loud sound (such as concert/disco attendance, listen to loud music, etc.) were associated with the adverse health effects experienced by seafarers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the extent of literature and findings on relationships between vestibular issues, noise sensitivity (NS), and anxiety. We were interested in how relationships among these factors impacted adults' recovery three months or more after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). We conducted a scoping review to evaluate the extent of evidence linking relationships between vestibular issues, NS and anxiety with recovery after mTBI. Data relating to study characteristics and key findings were extracted and used to inform a critical narrative synthesis of findings. After screening and full-text review, we included two studies. Both studies considered the combination of vestibular issues, NS and anxiety and mTBI recovery. Vestibular issues, NS and anxiety were all significantly associated with one another and their presence was the strongest indicator that symptoms would extend beyond three-months after mTBI. Few studies have focused on the relationships that vestibular issues, NS and anxiety have with one another and recovery after mTBI. Given the apparent strong relationships between these factors and prolonged recovery, we highlight this as an area warranting further investigation. Vestibular issues, noise sensitivity and anxiety all appear to impact on recovery from mild traumatic brain injury. There appear to be quite strong relationships between vestibular, noise sensitivity and anxiety symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury. More work exploring these key symptoms and how they impact recovery from mild traumatic brain injury using a wide range of study methods and approaches are needed to advance the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeMethodsResultsConclusionTo report a case of Cogan-Like Syndrome following treatment with nivolumab for metastatic cutaneous melanoma.A case report.A 54-year-old female sought a second opinion from us regarding the recently diagnosed uveitis in both eyes. She had a diagnosis of metastatic cutaneous melanoma in the right arm and was undergoing treatment with nivolumab. Four weeks following the initiation of nivolumab therapy, she experienced tinnitus and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, which was treated with oral and intratympanic steroids. While tapering the oral steroids, she developed iridocyclitis with papillitis in both eyes. This combination of vestibuloauditory symptoms and ocular inflammation was strikingly reminiscent of Cogan’s syndrome. Because of the timing in relation to the nivolumab therapy and the steroid responsiveness of her presentation, this was speculated to be due to immune overactivation from the nivolumab. Given her complex condition, which involved toxicity and multiple metastases, the patient was advised to consider either topical and/or local corticosteroids or intravenous immunoglobulin. The patient chose to persist with corticosteroid therapy.Nivolumab could potentially be linked to an immune-related condition resembling Cogan syndrome. In cases involving patients with a complex condition necessitating nivolumab treatment, the use of topical and/or local corticosteroids or intravenous immunoglobulin, might constitute the sole viable treatment options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lived experience of tinnitus has biopsychosocial characteristics which are influenced by sociocultural factors. The main purpose of this study is to investigate how tinnitus affects people in their everyday life in China. A deductive qualitative analysis examined whether an a priori Western-centric conceptual framework could extend to an Asian context. A large-scale prospective survey collected patient-reported problems associated with tinnitus in 485 adults attending four major ENT clinics in Eastern and Southern mainland China. The evidence suggests that patients in China express a narrower range of problem domains associated with the lived experience of tinnitus. While 13 tinnitus-related problem domains were confirmed, culture-specific adaptations included the addition uncomfortable (a novel concept not previously reported), and the potential exclusion of concepts such as intrusiveness, loss of control, loss of peace and loss of sense of self. The sociocultural context of patients across China plays an important role in defining the vocabulary used to describe the patient-centred impacts of tinnitus. Possible explanatory factors include cultural differences in the meaning and relevance of certain concepts relating to self and in help-seeking behaviour, low health literacy and a different lexicon in Chinese compared to English to describe tinnitus-related problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the current study was to examine the presence of positive experiences reported by individuals with tinnitus in the United States. The study used a cross-sectional survey design. The data were analysed using qualitative (content analysis) and quantitative (t-test or Chi-square test) analyses. Study participants were individuals participating in clinical trials involving Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT) for tinnitus. A total of 439 respondents, 211 (48.1%) male and 228 (51.9%) female responded, and data were collected via an online questionnaire. Of the 439 participants, 164 (i.e. 37.4%) reported at least one positive experience. Younger participants and those with lower hearing disability were more likely to report positive experiences. The responses were categorised into six categories: Outlook (n = 139), Personal development (n = 42), Treatment-related (n = 42), Coping (n = 29), Support (n = 19), and Disease-specific (n = 19). The ability of individuals with chronic tinnitus to identify positive experiences may give insights regarding acceptance and coping with tinnitus as well as the temperament of individuals reporting positive experiences. Considering these variables may help when planning individualised rehabilitation programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate differences in tinnitus impact, hyperacusis and hearing threshold level (HTL) between patients with unilateral and bilateral tinnitus. For patients with unilateral tinnitus, to compare audiological variables for the tinnitus ear and the non-tinnitus ear. To assess whether the presence of unilateral tinnitus increases the likelihood of interaural hearing asymmetry (relative to bilateral tinnitus) that warrants referral for an MRI scan. Retrospective cross-sectional. Data regarding HTLs and responses to self-report questionnaires were collected from the records of 311 patients attending a tinnitus clinic. 38.5% had unilateral tinnitus and the ears with tinnitus had higher HTLs and greater HTL slopes than the ears without tinnitus. There was no significant difference in tinnitus impact and hyperacusis between patients with unilateral and bilateral tinnitus. 40% of patients with unilateral tinnitus and 13% of patients with bilateral tinnitus had a between-ear difference in HTL ≥15 dB at two adjacent frequencies (2AF15 asymmetry). Unilateral tinnitus increased the risk of 2AF15 asymmetry by a factor of 4.4. Unilateral tinnitus increases the risk of having interaural asymmetry in HTLs that warrants referral for an MRI scan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential influence of tinnitus on cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality has yet to be explored. We aim to examine the correlations between tinnitus and the risk of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. We conducted a prospective cohort study utilising data from the UK Biobank. The presence of tinnitus was evaluated through a questionnaire. The primary outcome was defined as a composition of cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and mortality from CVD, as well as all-cause mortality. Cox proportional hazard models were employed to examine the associations between tinnitus and both the primary outcome and its individual components. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to evaluate the robustness of the primary analysis. A total of 140,146 participants were included in the study. The presence of tinnitus was found to be associated with a higher incident rate of the primary outcome (HR = 1.057, 95%CI: 1.017–1.099, p = 0.005), MI (HR = 1.139, 95%CI: 1.061–1.222, p < 0.001) and all-cause mortality (HR = 1.053, 95%CI: 1.003–1.105, p = 0.038) after adjusting for confounders. However, there was no significant association between tinnitus and stroke or mortality from CVD. Subgroup analysis revealed that the association between tinnitus and the primary outcome was significant in females, participants with abnormal BMI, and those without hearing difficulty, depression or anxiety. Sensitivity analyses yielded consistent results. The findings from this study contribute to the existing body of evidence suggesting an association between tinnitus and an increased risk of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractObjectiveDesignStudy sampleResultsConclusionThis study aimed to investigate the connection between psychological factors and postoperative tinnitus in vestibular schwannoma (VS) patients following retrosigmoid microsurgery.Cross-sectional study.Ninety-three VS patients participated, completing questionnaires on demographics, tinnitus severity (THI-12), personality traits (TIPI-G), dizziness impact (DHI), perceived health benefits (GBI), somatisation tendencies (SOMS-2), and psychological distress (HADS-D). Our analysis involved Mann-Whitney U-tests, Spearman’s rank-order correlations, and false discovery rate correction.Most participants reported postoperative tinnitus (77/93), with 41 experiencing it preoperatively. Emotional stability correlated negatively with tinnitus presence, while tinnitus severity was associated with emotional distress. Preoperative somatisation tendencies were also positively linked to tinnitus severity. Postoperative Tinnitus was further linked to reduced perceived health benefits and increased anxiety and depression levels. Notably, age and gender showed no significant associations.This study uncovers the interplay between postoperative tinnitus and psychological factors in VS patients, highlighting emotional and cognitive dimensions. Tailored psychological interventions addressing tinnitus‘s psychosomatic impact may enhance patients quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To ensure that subjective tinnitus patients develop positive attitudes toward tele-audiology. Aims/objectives: This study investigates the appropriateness of the internet-based software in patients with subjective tinnitus. Material and methods: Patients between the ages of 19 and 59 applying to the clinic with the subjective tinnitus filled in Tinnitus Handicap Index (THI) and Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS). Visual Numeric Scale (VNS) was applied to the patients to complaint of tinnitus. Parameter measurements related to hearing and tinnitus were performed clinically. After the evaluations, 54 participants were divided into two groups to receive the 'Basic Information Material Service' (BIMS) face-to-face and online. Afterwards, THI and VNS were used to determine the current status. Results: There was no significant difference between the groups that received BIMS with 2 different methods (p >.05). A significant difference was found in the scores before and after BIMS in terms of THI and VNS (p <.05). A strong negative correlation was found between the duration of tinnitus and the change in THI. In addition, there is a stronger-negative relationship between the number of centers consulted and the informational benefit revealed by the scales. Conclusions and significance: Online intervention is as effective as face-to-face interaction in the management of tinnitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this interventional non-randomised prospective controlled study was to assess the effectiveness of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) in human subjects with tinnitus. The ParasymTM tVNS device was paired with an auditory stimulation. Treatment and observations were conducted over 12 weeks. Audiological evaluation was performed. Responses from a set of questionnaires and quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) before and after treatment were collected. Voice measurements were done to assess possible side-effects of tVNS. The study involved 29 adults who had chronic tinnitus (15 patients who underwent tVNS paired with sounds and a control group of 14 patients who did not). In general, subjective and objective measurements of tinnitus showed no improvement in the study group compared to the controls, although certain parameters as gauged by the questionnaires did statistically improve. The loudness and frequency of tinnitus remained the same in both groups. For the qEEG, activity in the theta band increased significantly in the study group compared to the control group. The tVNS was not effective in reducing tinnitus symptoms in our study group. However, changes in the theta band suggest there might be cortical effects that might, with sustained treatment, lead to improvements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractObjectiveDesignStudy sampleResultsConclusionTo examine help-seeker satisfaction with the first communication of a tinnitus diagnosis by a healthcare provider, whether help-seekers undertook treatment and how they rated this treatment.A survey design assessed tinnitus characteristics and distress, health status, help-seeking, diagnosis communication, treatment and patient satisfaction.A self-selected cohort and a population-based cohort.Satisfaction scores were examined against demographic, clinical factors, and type of healthcare provider. A total of 281 adults participated (median age 61.6, IQR = 10.8 years), 52.3% sought help for tinnitus and 22.4% received treatment. The most frequently seen healthcare providers were general practitioners (34.0%), audiologists (29.3%) and ear, nose and throat specialists (25.9%). About two-thirds (64.1%) of help-seekers were unsatisfied with the first communication of a tinnitus diagnosis they received, and 56.5% rated their first tinnitus treatment as poor. Help-seekers were significantly more satisfied with audiologists than other providers regarding the communication of the first tinnitus diagnosis. Higher tinnitus distress scores were significantly associated with lower patient satisfaction with communication of first tinnitus diagnosis. No other factors were associated with patient satisfaction.There are significant communication barriers along the tinnitus clinical pathway. Identifying and addressing these barriers could improve patient satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinically, we find that tinnitus patients often have hearing loss. According to the most accepted mechanism of tinnitus, that is, the spontaneous discharge and abnormal synchronization of neurons after afferent reduction, tinnitus frequency is closely related to the frequency of hearing loss. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation of tinnitus pitch with the frequency of hearing loss. A total of 500 patients with unilateral or bilateral chronic tinnitus were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent pure tone audiometry (PTA) and tinnitus acoustic examination. Hearing loss levels and frequencies were recorded. The relationship between tinnitus pitch and hearing loss level and frequency was statistically analyzed. Our results showed that 96.6% of the 500 tinnitus patients had hearing loss. Statistical analysis showed that low frequency (LF) tinnitus was correlated with LF hearing loss, but moderate frequency & high frequency (MF&HF) tinnitus was not significantly associated with MF&HF hearing loss. The coincidence of tinnitus pitch with the highest hearing threshold correlated with the degree of hearing loss. The vast majority of patients with chronic subjective tinnitus had hearing loss, and the frequency of tinnitus correlated with the degree and frequency of hearing loss but not exactly fall within the frequency range of hearing loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Consistent symptom reporting for conditions like tinnitus that do not have an associated sign is critical for evaluating severity and intervention effectiveness, and for interpreting research findings. There is little research examining reporting of tinnitus and hearing difficulty over time. We address this here by comparing reported hearing difficulty and tinnitus at two time-points. Design: A cross-sectional study comparing symptom reporting in March 2019 and August/September 2021 using data from two online surveys of the same cohort. Although each survey was designed to address a different question, both asked about symptoms of tinnitus and hearing difficulties and enabled this exploratory analysis. Study sample: 6881 members of the UK general public aged 18+ years. Results: Inconsistent reporting was evident - many participants who reported experiencing tinnitus and/or hearing difficulties in 2019, said in 2021 that they had never had such symptoms before. Additionally, reports of new tinnitus/hearing difficulties in 2021 were unexpectedly high, equating to 18-month incidence rates of 13.6% and 11.7%, respectively. Conclusions: Psychosocial factors, expectations and context impact symptom reporting. This should be considered when treating patients and interpreting research findings. Using real-time data collection methods could thus provide a better understanding of experiences of tinnitus and hearing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Although insomnia often compounds tinnitus, sleeping problems in people experiencing tinnitus are rarely treated. This study investigates the experiences of participants receiving Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for insomnia (CBTi) as part of a randomised controlled trial for managing tinnitus-related insomnia. The aim of this study is to gain detailed insight into participants' perceptions and experiences of this treatment. Design: Semi-structured interviews were conducted via phone or in-person by one of the two clinical psychologists who facilitated the CBTi sessions. Reflexive thematic analysis with semantic inductive approach was used for analysis to keep the research question theoretically flexible. Study samples: Eight participants (three females, age range 32–69 years) were interviewed six months after CBTi completion. Results: Three superordinate themes were identified: "Common humanity and transcending individual distress," "Changing the things I can" and "Accepting the things I cannot change." The group environment helped participants to normalise their experiences. Reliable tinnitus/sleep information and robust behavioural change techniques helped participants to respond and relate to their condition differently. Conclusion: Generally, participants reported long-term benefits from CBTi to treat tinnitus-related insomnia, particularly increased confidence, and getting on with life. CBTi is multi-component, so clinicians need to respond to individual preferences and lifestyles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay proposes the sublime as a paradigmatic concept in a Western aesthetics of tinnitus. Through critical readings of canonical works on the sublime and analysis of contemporary artistic, cinematic, and audiological practices around tinnitus, I present what I call "the tinnital sublime," an aesthetics that depicts tinnitus as a terrible sensory occlusion and disruption of the (agentive, masculine, European) self. Tinnitus can be a terribly sublime experience, but the subjectivity constructed in Burke and Kant's aesthetics both amplifies the terror of tinnitus and denigrates tinnital subjects for feeling that terror. In contrast, recent composers have integrated tinnitus into their music, making a sometimes-uneasy peace with phantom sound. These composers dispense with Enlightenment notions that privilege a nature-conquering, sensorily unencumbered, and rationally detached self. Instead of struggling heroically against tinnitus, they present an "illegitimate sublime," an aesthetics that honors suffering—but also attempts to elude it—by yielding to the uncontrollable nature of tinnitus. Listening to tinnitus through the sublime does poetic justice to the gravity of its ontology and phenomenology. At the same time, listening to the sublime through tinnitus dramatizes the ableism and alienation embedded in the sublime notion of ever overcoming our relationship to nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is a creative response to the topic of the special issue, "The Aesthetics of Tinnitus", blending reflections on perception and imagination, race and sociality, sci-fi and sound studies via experimental poetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tinnitus, Speaking is a hybrid text – one part essay, one part interview – which demonstrates how sound artist Daniel Fishkin's experience of tinnitus might be listened to and thought about from the vantage point of psychoanalysis and in relation to his creative practice. Originally composed for a lay audience of listeners at one of Fishkin's public presentations, the below work furnishes readers with a preliminary exploration of how a psychoanalytic understanding of bodily symptoms as subjective manifestations of language might add to popular and academic conversations concerning the way tinnitus in conceptualized in relation to the body and discourse. In order to do so, the text approaches the sound art, speech, and symptoms of Daniel Fishkin as a kind of clinical vignette shedding light on how tinnitus can be experienced at the level of language and art while also illuminating aesthetic practice to be an extension of psychoanalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, I offer a critical reflection on the production of "tinnitus maps" as part of the Arts and Humanities Research Council project, Tinnitus, Auditory Knowledge and the Arts. Influenced by both methods and critiques of sound mapping, tinnitus maps mark an attempt to creatively document the relationship between aurality, context and place. Tinnitus maps depart from sound mapping's focus on the aural specificity of "proper noun" places, instead depicting tinnitus as a mode of aurality. This article situates these maps in relation to the practices and discourses of acoustic ecology: a field that has been associated with and been influential for various methods of sound mapping. I posit that tinnitus maps serve to amplify the exclusions created by acoustic ecology's aesthetic moralism and investment in normate aurality, while also offering novel insights into tinnitus' spatial and relational constitution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acting as a bridge over the river of "academic" and "artistic" contributions to this special edition, this article explores zones of chance (with a particular focus on Surrealist objective chance and the work of English Professor Wendy Wheeler); environment (often relating to the motion of a river and the mention of various of insects, revolving around the author's attempts to listen with tinnitus to the environment, and to listen with the environment to tinnitus); and depiction (notably the work of the painters Edvard Munch and Gastone Novelli, the poet Robert Grenier, and the philosopher Michel Serres). Placed in relation to the author's own lived experiences with tinnitus, these zones are channeled into the undulation of a wave symbol (〰), in an attempt to acknowledge, hold, and communicate different lived experiences and possibilities of tinnitus. As such, each zone may be read either as part of as whole, in any order. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Charlie Haden's Earplugs" explores how tinnitus, hyperacusis and misophonia have shaped the musicality and sonic production of the jazz bassist and composer. While Haden maintained a negative attitude toward his hearing damage over the course of his long musical career, viewing it as a limitation and a source of difficulty, this paper brings together evidence to suggest that Haden's condition also provided him a productive means to exert control over his sonic reality. In this way, these maligned conditions are part and parcel of Haden's personal engagement with the world, and therefore, part of his creative process and distinct aesthetic. This analysis is accomplished by a forensic account of Haden's listening particularities through his interviews, as well an analysis of his approach as an improvising partner. This paper also draws from extant models of disability studies to explore the concept of "deaf-gain" and how it may be transposed to the disorders from which Haden suffered. There are to-date many well-established accounts of the deaf experience in disability studies and in music scholarship. This paper offers insight to another cluster of hearing dysfunction, which not only suggests a new paradigm for imagining disability in music, but also revises the very concept of hearing as it is commonly understood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the question of inclusive advertising soundtracks for people with tinnitus, a group that until now has been largely ignored by the marketing industry. The research applies a methodology based on Qualitative Data Analysis (QDA) and combines grounded theory and the focus group model as a data collection technique. The study took an objectivist approach for the first stages of data coding, and a constructivist approach to develop the theory, in an effort to tell a story about people with tinnitus and their relationship with today's audiovisual advertising. A comparison of the contributions of three focus groups of tinnitus sufferers reveals a specific pattern that may provide clues for the creation of inclusive ads that will be tolerable to this target. The participants agree that they need clear and simple sound that poses fewer interpretation problems for the brain, and that advertising messages can be made more receptive and persuasive for them by improving the audio, through high-quality equalization. As a strategy to facilitate understanding of the advertising message, tinnitus sufferers suggest that ads should make what is heard visible, establishing the diegetic relationship between image and sound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractObjectiveDesignStudy SampleResultsConclusionsTo use a multimodal approach to classify individuals with tinnitus from controls, and individuals with mild versus severe tinnitus.We have previously shown feasibility of a non-invasive imaging technique called functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to detect tinnitus-related changes in cortical activity and classify individuals with tinnitus from controls, as well as individuals with mild versus severe tinnitus. In this study we have used a multimodal approach by recording heart rate, heart rate variability and skin conductance, in addition to fNIRS signals, from individuals with tinnitus and controls.Twenty-seven participants with tinnitus and 21 controls were recruited.Our findings show, addition of heart rate measures can improve accuracy of classifying tinnitus severity, in particular loudness as rated subjectively. The f1-score, a measure of classification accuracy, increased from 0.73 to 0.86 when using a support vector machine classifier for differentiating low versus high tinnitus loudness.Subjective tinnitus is a condition that can only be described by the individual experiencing it, as there are currently no objective measures to determine tinnitus presence and severity, or assess the effectiveness of treatments. Objective measurement of tinnitus is a critical step in developing reliable treatments for this debilitating condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ménière's disease (MD) is a common idiopathic inner ear disorder in otorhinolaryngology characterized by recurrent episodes of vertigo, fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus and ear fullness. To study the effects of low-sodium diet with adequate water intake on the clinical efficacy in MD. Fifty patients diagnosed with stage-3 unilateral MD were randomly divided into control group(n = 25) and experimental group(n = 25). The control group was given routine medication therapy, and the experimental group was restricted to an sodium intake of 1500 mg/d and a water intake of 35 ml/kg/d based in addition to the routine medication therapy. The two groups were assessed using pure tone audiometry, electrocochleography, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), and Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI). The pure tone audiometry and electrocochleography showed better improvements after treatment in the experimental group than the control group (p < 0.05). The THI improved values in the experimental group were significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.001). The DHI improved values in the experimental group were significantly higher than the control group (p = 0.004). Low-sodium diet with adequate water intake improved the hearing and alleviated vertigo and tinnitus in MD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The treatment of refractory elderly Meniere's disease is a challenge. To investigate the efficacy of tympanostomy tube placement in elderly patients with Meniere's disease. 31 patients over 60 years old with Meniere's disease who had failed medical treatment and underwent tympanostomy tube placement. Vertigo control, hearing level, tinnitus, and ear fullness were recorded and analyzed preoperatively and postoperatively. All patients completed a 6-month follow-up. At 6 months postoperatively,complete control, substantial control and limited control of vertigo were achieved in 10 (32%), 13 (42%), and 6 (19%) patients respectively. Two patients (6%) reported no substantial improvement. Twelve patients completed a 2-year follow-up. At 2 years postoperatively, complete control, substantial control and limited control of vertigo were achieved in 3 (25%), 5 (42%), and 1 (8%) patients respectively. Three (25%) patients showed no significant improvement in vertigo. The majority of patients reported significant improvement in the functional level scale, the Dizziness Handicap Inventory scores, and ear fullness at 6 months and 2 years postoperatively. Tympanostomy tube placement may reduce vertigo attacks and improved the quality of life in elderly patients with Meniere's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some studies have shown a positive effect of systemic corticosteroid on hearing results after stapedotomy, but its side effects can limit its routine administration. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of local dexamethasone on the results of stapedotomy surgery. Fifty two patients undergone stapedotomy surgery for otosclerosis involved. In the case group after stapedotomy we fulfilled the middle ear with dexamethasone and then the placement of the prosthesis was done. In the control group after stapedotomy we did not use dexamethasone in the middle ear. Gender, age, nausea, vomiting, postoperative vertigo and nystagmus did not significantly differ between the groups. A significant difference was observed in tinnitus rate between two groups. In the case group ABG decrease was higher and bone conduction thresholds improved at frequencies of 1000, 2000, and 4000 three months after surgery. Since local dexamethasone had a positive effect on the results of stapedotomy surgery, it can be used instead of systemic corticosteroids to reduce the side effects and increasing surgery's success rate. If local dexamethasone had a positive influence on the results of stapedotomy surgery, it can be used instead of systemic corticosteroids to reduce the side effects and increasing surgery's success rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To describe evidence of migraine-associated tinnitus and hearing loss. This study was registered in PROSPERO and followed the PRISMA guidelines. The inclusion criteria were observational studies with subjects aged ≥18 years, in which the association between migraine and tinnitus and/or hearing loss was evaluated. Reviews, case reports, commentaries, letters to the editor, and studies that included individuals with some diseases were excluded. The search yielded 698 articles from electronic databases. Six studies were eligible for this review with 26,166 participants. Most studies have shown an association between migraine and tinnitus, and between migraine and hearing loss. Studies have concluded that migraine presented high odds ratio, and hazard ratio for tinnitus. Another study found a strong association between these conditions (p < 0.001), and two investigations detected the presence of migraine in 10.1 and 22.5% of tinnitus patients. Migraine presented high odds ratio and hazard ratio for hearing loss. Additionally, the studies included were of good quality, adhering to most of the requirements on the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist. However, a limitation of this review is the small number of studies included. Associations between migraine, tinnitus, and hearing loss were observed in the included studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the psychometric properties of a new questionnaire evaluating patients' confidence in managing their tinnitus, the 4C tinnitus management questionnaire (4C), which was designed to be used in the process of cognitive behavioural therapy. Retrospective cross-sectional based on patient records. 99 consecutive patients who sought help for tinnitus (with or without hyperacusis) from an audiology clinic in the UK. Pure tone average (PTA) hearing thresholds, Uncomfortable Loudness Levels (ULLs), and responses to the 4C questionnaire, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Hyperacusis Questionnaire (HQ), and Screening for Anxiety and Depression in Tinnitus (SAD-T) questionnaire were gathered from the records of patients held at the audiology department. Cronbach's alpha for the 4C was 0.91, indicating high internal consistency. Exploratory factor analysis suggested a one-factor solution. Discriminant validity was supported by weak correlations between 4C scores and PTA across ears and ULLmin (the across-frequency average ULL for the ear with lower average ULL). Convergent validity was supported by moderate correlations between 4C scores and scores for the THI, HQ, and SAD-T. The 4C is an internally consistent questionnaire with high convergent and discriminant validity, which can be used to assess patients' confidence in managing their tinnitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herniation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) into the external auditory canal (EAC) due to a bony defect in the EAC is rare. Such bony defects can be secondary to inflammation, neoplasm, trauma. In rare instances, TMJ herniation can occur when the Huschke foramen is constantly exposed. TMJ herniation can induce clicking tinnitus, otalgia, conductive hearing loss, and otorrhea, but can also present with no symptoms. This study reports a case of TMJ herniation. A male patient presented with clicking tinnitus that had developed 3 years ago. Dome-shaped soft tissue was found on the anterior EAC wall, which protruded and depressed with mouth movement. The patient underwent surgical reconstruction of the bony defect with titanium mesh, and the symptoms resolved after surgery. This case highlights the importance of surgical reconstruction of a bony defect in the EAC using appropriate materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The overall objective in the study was to compare self-reported hearing based on a single question (“how good would you currently rate your hearing?”) to measure hearing loss determined by audiometry in a cohort of adolescents. Prevalence of audiometrically measured hearing loss and frequencies of self-reported poor hearing as well as factors that have an impact on self-reported hearing were examined. Design: Baseline and 5-year follow-up data of the Ohrkan study were used. Participants filled in a questionnaire and underwent audiometric measurements. Study sample: Data from 979 adolescents were analysed. Participants were 54.7% female and aged between 13 and 18 years at baseline and 17–21 years at 5-yr follow-up. Results: The single question on self-reported hearing ability achieved a sensitivity of 41.9% and a positive predictive value of 7.1% at baseline. For the 5-yr follow-up, sensitivity was 40.0%, positive predictive value was 13.9%. Factors influencing self-reported poor hearing were gender, tinnitus, “muffled” ears after exposure to loud noise (e.g. after a concert) and low-frequency hearing loss. Conclusions: The single question about hearing ability used in the Ohrkan study is not sufficient to replace audiometry to detect hearing loss as defined in the study in adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic tinnitus during childhood/adolescence can be associated with impaired quality of life. Guidelines for managing paediatric tinnitus recommend assessment and interventions are often based upon the experiences and opinions of guideline committee members. Objective: To examine patient response tools used for the assessment and management of childhood tinnitus and how interventions had been evaluated. Design: A structured scoping review (i) identifying and critically appraising patient response measures (PRMs) assessing tinnitus in children/adolescents, and (ii) critically appraising evidence supporting reported interventions. Original papers written in English, involving paediatric participants ≤19 years, reporting (i) application of established PRMs to assess the experience of chronic tinnitus or (ii) application and evaluation of tinnitus interventions were included. Study sample: Papers written in English, identifying, or assessing the experience of chronic tinnitus (>3 months) as a primary complaint during childhood/adolescence in participants ≤19 years of age using a PRM and studies evaluating the application of non-pharmaceutical interventions for tinnitus in children/adolescents. Results: Six studies involving the assessment of tinnitus during childhood/adolescence using a PRM were identified and evaluated. Three established (previously named, described, and published) PRMs were applied of which none were developed specifically for children/adolescents. Three behavioural tinnitus interventions and three combination intervention strategies (coupling of psychological intervention with sound enrichment) had been applied to and evaluated within paediatric populations. Conclusions: Although clinicians are seeing children/adolescents with tinnitus, they are evaluating and managing children’s distress without appropriate PRMs, and little evidence exists to support clinical interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A participatory-based intervention was performed in Sweden, aimed at improving the sound environment in one preschool (n = 20) and one obstetric ward (n = 50), with two controls each (n = 28, n = 66). Measured sound levels, and surveys of noise annoyance, hearing-related symptoms and emotional exhaustion were collected before, and three and nine months after the interventions, comparing intervention and control groups over time. The results of this first implementation in a limited number of workplaces showed significantly worsening of hyperacusis, sound-induced auditory fatigue, emotional exhaustion and increased sound levels in the preschool, and worsening of noise annoyance in both intervention groups. Increased risk awareness, limited implementation support and lack of psychosocial interventions may explain the worsening in outcomes, as might the worse baseline in the intervention groups. The complexity of the demands in human-service workplaces calls for further intervention studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To compare cochlear implant (CI) data logging of patients with single-sided deafness (SSD) and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (biSNHL) in various acoustic environments and study the implications of data logging on auditory performance. Retrospective case control study. Adult CI patients with SSD or biSNHL from 2010 to 2021 with usage data collected at 3-, 6-, and 12-months following device activation were identified. The CI listening environment was defined as speech in noise, speech in quiet, quiet, music or noise. Auditory performance was measured using the CNC word, AzBio sentence tests and the Tinnitus Handicap Index (THI). 60 adults with SSD or biSNHL were included. CI patients with biSNHL wore their devices more than those with SSD at 3-months post-activation (11.18 versus 8.97 hours/day, p = 0.04), though there were no significant differences at 6-12 months. Device usage was highest in the speech in quiet environment. In SSD CI users, there was a positive correlation (p = 0.03) between device use and CNC scores at 12-months and an improvement in THI scores at 12-months (p = 0.0004). CI users with SSD and biSNHL have comparable duration of device usage at longer follow-up periods with greatest device usage recorded in speech in quiet environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to describe the tinnitus severity in patients with chronic otitis media (COM) and describe the sociodemographic and clinical variables associated with tinnitus severity. Cross-sectional study. Two otology-referral centers in Bogotá (Colombia) were included. Sociodemographic, clinical associated factors and quality of life questionnaires were applied. Otoscopic evaluation and audiometric data were collected. About 231 adults with COM. Up to 51.5% of the patients reported severe tinnitus discomfort, 21.7% moderate discomfort, and 26.8% minor discomfort. Factor associated with increased tinnitus severity in patients with COM were older age (aOR: 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01–1.05), higher education (aOR: 2.24; 95% CI: 1.03–4.87), ear discharge during childhood (aOR: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.02–3.45), cholesteatoma in one ear (aOR: 2.26; 95% CI: 1.05–4.88), and pure-tone air average over 15 dB (aOR: 2.08; 95% CI: 1.28–3.36). Differences of 10-points in symptoms severity and 15-points in the total score of the "Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media Questionnaire-12" were found between the tinnitus severity groups. Our results highlight the need for further research on the associated factors of tinnitus severity on COM patients. COM patients with higher tinnitus severity presented worse audiometric results and worse quality of life outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tinnitus, the perception of sound without external stimuli, varies across hearing loss types. The present study compared the acoustic characteristics of tinnitus in patients with noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and in those with hearing loss unrelated to noise exposure. This study compared the acoustic characteristics of tinnitus in patients with noise-induced and non-noise-induced hearing loss. A total of 403 patients with tinnitus were divided into those with noise-induced and non-noise-induced hearing loss. Patients were evaluated by pure tone audiometry (PTA), tinnitogram, transient evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE), distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE), and auditory brainstem evoked response (ABR) tests. Patients with NIHL exhibited significantly higher hearing thresholds across all frequencies (125–8000 Hz) (p <.05) and reported significantly higher tinnitus intensity (p <.05). Otoacoustic emission tests showed that response rates were significantly lower (p <.05), and ABR tests found that latency periods were significantly more prolonged (p <.05), in patients with NIHL. Tinnitus differs acoustically between patients with NIHL and those with non-noise-induced hearing loss, with specific patterns of intensity and auditory responses. These findings emphasize the need for tailoring the management of tinnitus according to the underlying type of hearing loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presbycusis with tinnitus has a significant impact on the quality of life of elderly patients, becoming a serious socioeconomic problem. We conducted an 11-year cross-sectional analysis of the audiometry results of elderly patients with tinnitus from 2011 to 2021. 9642 patients aged 60 and over were divided into three groups: young-old (YO) (60–74), old–old (OO) (75–89), and longevous (LON) (90 and over). Pure-tone audiometry results of all patients were analyzed. Among 9642 patients, the cases of female with tinnitus were more than male in all years. The hearing curve showed a typical age-related decline. Hearing level of air conduction in female declined significantly at low frequencies while that of male was worse at high frequencies in YO and OO groups. Compared with right, left hearing level of air conduction was significantly decreased at all frequencies except 0.125 kHz. When the chief complaint was tinnitus, women were likely to experience more distress than men. However, men suffered from more hearing loss than women, at least in high frequencies. The influence weight of presbycusis and tinnitus on the auditory cortices might be a possible reason for the lateral distinction of hearing loss at different ages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Tinnitus Impact Questionnaire (TIQ), whose questions focus on assessing the impact of tinnitus on the patient's day to day activities, mood, and sleep, and not on hearing difficulties. This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. Data were included for 172 adult patients who attended a tinnitus and hyperacusis clinic in the UK within a six-month period and who had completed the TIQ. Two items whose scores were very highly correlated with those for other items were removed, leaving seven items. Exploratory factor analysis suggested a single factor for the TIQ. A multiple causes multiple indicator model showed significant but very small direct effects of age on TIQ scores for two items, after adjustment for gender. The TIQ had excellent internal consistency, with Cronbach's alpha = 0.89. The total TIQ score was moderately to strongly correlated with scores for the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, Screening for Anxiety and Depression-Tinnitus questionnaire, Hyperacusis Questionnaire, and Hyperacusis Impact Questionnaire, indicating convergent validity. The TIQ score was weakly correlated with the pure-tone average hearing threshold, indicating discriminant validity. The TIQ is a brief, valid and internally consistent questionnaire for assessing the impact of tinnitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effects of COVID-19 on individuals with tinnitus and their views to guide future tinnitus care. A mixed-methods cross-sectional research design. An online survey was completed by 365 individuals with tinnitus from Australia and other countries. Tinnitus was reported to be more bothersome during the pandemic by 36% of respondents, whereas 59% reported no change and 5% reported less bothersome tinnitus. Nearly half of the respondents had received COVID-19 vaccination(s) and 12% of them reported more bothersome tinnitus while 2% developed tinnitus post-vaccination. Australian respondents spent less time in self-isolation or quarantine and saw fewer change in in-person social contact than respondents from other countries. More than 70% of respondents thought that tinnitus care services were insufficient both before and during the pandemic. Regarding their opinions on how to improve tinnitus care in the future, five themes including alleviation of condition, government policies, reduced barriers, self- and public-awareness, and hearing devices were identified. A majority of respondents did not perceive any change in tinnitus perception and one-third of respondents had worsened tinnitus during the pandemic. To improve tinnitus care, better awareness and more accessible resources and management are crucial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substances with modulatory capabilities on certain aspects of human cognition have been revered as nootropics from the dawn of time. The plant kingdom provides most of the currently available nootropics of natural origin. Here, in this systematic review, we aim to provide state-of-the-art information regarding proven and unproven effects of plant-derived nootropics (PDNs) on human cognition in conditions of health and disease. Six independent searches, one for each neurocognitive domain (NCD), were performed in parallel using three independent scientific library databases: PubMed, Cochrane and Scopus. Only scientific studies and systematic reviews with humans published between January 2000 and November 2021 were reviewed, and 256 papers were included. Ginkgo biloba was the most relevant nootropic regarding perceptual and motor functions. Bacopa monnieri improves language, learning and memory. Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) modulates anxiety and social-related cognitions. Caffeine enhances attention and executive functions. Together, the results from the compiled studies highlight the nootropic effects and the inconsistencies regarding PDNs that require further research. Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2021.2021137 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]