Putative factors for chronic manifestation of tinnitus

Introduction:

Acute tinnitus is a clinical common, but in research so far neglected symptom. There is only limited evidence which factors contribute to chronic manifestation of tinnitus. Aim of the present study was to follow up the development of acute tinnitus and relevant factors over six months.

Methods:

Between 2013 and 2016 patients from two centers in Germany with acute tinnitus were included in our study. They filled in questionnaires and returned for a follow-up visit after three months. After six months only questionnaires were send to the patients. Factors of interest were hearing function, tinnitus characteristics, pre-condition disorders, therapeutic interventions and psychological factors.

Results:

49 patients with tinnitus onset between 1 and 28 days were included in the analysis. Nine patients lost their tinnitus. Only hyperacusis and ear pressure was associated with chronic manifestation of tinnitus. In patients with chronic tinnitus, tinnitus distress decreased and hearing function improved over the six months. Tinnitus characteristics such as loudness, awareness, laterality, type, pitch, etc. remained relatively stable.

Conclusions:

Due to the preliminary and not representative character of this study the high number of patients with chronic manifestation might be biased. Tinnitus distress seems to ameliorate over the first months after tinnitus onset. Investigation of psychological factors related to hyperacusis might be helpful for identification of risk factors for chronic manifestation of tinnitus.

Publication History

Publication Date:
18 April 2018 (online)