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The Impact of Tinnitus Severity on Work Functioning among U.S. Military Veterans with Tinnitus.

Authors :
Coco L
Hooker ER
Gilbert TA
Harker GR
Clark KD
Reavis KM
Henry JA
Zaugg TL
Carlson KF
Source :
Seminars in hearing [Semin Hear] 2023 Jul 24; Vol. 45 (1), pp. 40-54. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Jul 24 (Print Publication: 2024).
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

Tinnitus is highly prevalent among military Veterans. Severe tinnitus can be associated with negative impacts on daily life. Veterans with severe tinnitus may also have greater difficulties in functional roles, including work. However, few studies have explicitly explored this relationship. Traumatic brain injury (TBI), also prevalent among Veterans, is associated with tinnitus and can additionally impair work functioning. This quantitative investigation used a population-based survey to assess the relationship between tinnitus severity, measured using the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI), and the impact of tinnitus on work, measured using a composite score from the Tinnitus History Questionnaire, among a stratified random sample of VA healthcare-using Veterans diagnosed with tinnitus, with and without comorbid TBI. Analyses were weighted to account for sampling design and Veteran non-response; multiple imputation was used to account for missing data. Results indicated that for every 1-point increase in TFI score, there was an average 8% increase in the odds of reporting a high level of impact on work functioning (OR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.11). Veterans with a comorbid TBI diagnosis, compared with those without, were more likely to have high tinnitus-related impact on work functioning (OR: 2.69, 95% CI: 1.85, 3.91), but the relationship between tinnitus severity and the impact of tinnitus on work functioning did not differ by TBI status. These data can help researchers and clinicians understand complex symptoms experienced by Veterans with tinnitus, with and without TBI, supporting the improved provision of clinical services to these patients.<br />Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest None declared.<br /> (The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ ).)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0734-0451
Volume :
45
Issue :
1
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Seminars in hearing
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
38370516
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0043-1770152