Article
Determinants of tinnitus-related distress – an epidemiological study in 4705 tinnitus patients
Search Medline for
Authors
Published: | August 3, 2011 |
---|
Outline
Text
From September 2010 to January 2011 we performed a cross-sectional survey among the members of the German Tinnitus League (DTL). 4705, i.e. 29.4% of the DTL-members had sent in a complete questionnaire by January 2011.
The questionnaire consisted of questions regarding tinnitus characteristics and history, including the miniversion of the Tinnitus Questionnaire [1], questions about the audiologic status, somatic comorbidites and mental health [2], [3] as well as about the social situation [4].
Subjectively perceived tinnitus loudness was correlated with tinnitus-associated distress (Pearson, r=.525), and a spurious correlation existed between tinnitus-related distress and hyperacusis (r=.35) which disappeared when correcting for a possible influence of depression (r=.24). Psychologic comorbidity, indicated by enhanced levels of depression, anxiety and somatisation (SAD trias, [2]) was more prevalent in people showing a relevant degree of tinnitus-related distress and in those who reported hyperacusis. Almost 79% of the patients in the study group reported hearing impairment in addition to the tinnitus, but only 50% of them used a hearing aid. If hearing aids were used, tinnitus-loudness decreased in 30% of all hearing-aid users, with those having non-distressing tinnitus benefitting more than those with a severely disabling tinnitus.
The use of hearing aids should be encouraged. If providing persons with high tinnitus-related distress with hearing aids, concurrent psychotherapeutic interventions have to be considered since this condition may be associated with poor mental health.
References
- 1.
- Hiller W, Goebel G. Factors Influencing Tinnitus Loudness and Annoyance. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2006;132:1323-30.
- 2.
- Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JB, Löwe B. The Patient Health Questionnaire Somatic, Anxiety, and Depressive Symptom Scales: a systematic review. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2010;32(4):345-59. DOI: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2010.03.006
- 3.
- Leppert K, Koch B, Brähler E, Strauß B. Die Resilienzskala (RS) – Überprüfung der Langform RS-25 und einer Kurzform RS-13. Klinische Diagnostik und Evaluation. 2008;1(2):226-43.
- 4.
- Nübling M, Stößel U, Hasselhorn HM, Michaelis M, Hofmann F. Measuring psychological stress and strain at work – Evaluation of the COPSOQ Questionnaire in Germany. Psychosoc Med. 2006;3:Doc05.