Association of tinnitus and hearing loss in otological disorders: a decade-long epidemiological study in a South Indian population

Abstract Introduction: Tinnitus is a common disorder that occurs frequently across all strata of population and has an important health concern. Tinnitus is often associated with different forms of hearing loss of varying severity. Objective: The present study aimed to identify the association of tinnitus with hearing loss in various otological disorders of a South Indian population. Methods: A total of 3255 subjects referred to the MAA ENT Hospital, Hyderabad, from 2004 to 2014, affected with various otological diseases have been included in the present cross-sectional study. Diagnosis of the diseases was confirmed by an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist using detailed medical and clinical examination. Statistical analysis was performed using the χ 2 test and binary logistic regression. Results: Tinnitus was observed in 29.3% (956) of the total study subjects that showed an increased prevalence in greater than 40 years of age. There was a significant increase in risk of tinnitus with middle (OR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.02-3.16) and inner (OR = 3.00, 95% CI = 1.65-5.45) inner ear diseases. It was noted that 96.9% (n = 927) of the tinnitus subjects was associated with hearing loss. Otitis media (60.9%), presbycusis (16.6%) and otosclerosis (14.3%) are the very common otological disorders leading to tinnitus. Tinnitus was significantly associated with higher degree of hearing loss in chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) subjects. Conclusion: The present study could identify the most prevalent otological risk factors leading to development of tinnitus with hearing loss in a South Indian population.

摘要引言：耳鸣（Tinnitus）是一种常见病症，在各人群阶层中均有较高发生率，属于重要的健康关注问题。耳鸣常与不同严重程度、不同类型的听力损失相关联。
研究目的：本研究旨在明确南印度人群中，耳鸣与各类耳部疾病引发的听力损失之间的关联。
研究方法：本横断面研究纳入了2004年至2014年间，转诊至海得拉巴MAA耳鼻喉科（Ear, Nose, and Throat, ENT）医院的3255名罹患各类耳部疾病的受试者。所有疾病的诊断均由耳鼻喉科专科医师通过详细的病史采集与临床检查确认。统计分析采用χ²检验与二元logistic回归分析。
研究结果：总研究对象中29.3%（956例）出现耳鸣，该病症在40岁以上人群中患病率更高。中耳疾病与内耳疾病会显著提升耳鸣发生风险，其中比值比（Odds Ratio, OR）分别为1.79（95%置信区间（Confidence Interval, CI）=1.02~3.16）与3.00（95%CI=1.65~5.45）。研究发现，96.9%（n=927）的耳鸣受试者伴随听力损失。中耳炎（60.9%）、老年性聋（16.6%）以及耳硬化症（14.3%）是引发耳鸣的最常见耳部疾病。在慢性化脓性中耳炎（Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media, CSOM）受试者中，耳鸣与更严重程度的听力损失显著相关。
研究结论：本研究明确了南印度人群中，引发伴听力损失的耳鸣的最常见耳部危险因素。