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）是一种遍及各人群阶层的常见病症，亦是一项重大公共健康议题。耳鸣常与不同严重程度、多种类型的听力损失相关联。 目的：本研究旨在明确南印度人群中，各类耳科疾病患者的耳鸣与听力损失之间的关联。 方法：本横断面研究纳入了2004年至2014年间，转诊至印度海得拉巴MAA耳鼻喉（ear, nose, and throat, ENT）医院的3255名罹患各类耳科疾病的受试者。所有疾病的诊断均由耳鼻喉专科医师通过详细的内科与临床检查确认。统计分析采用χ²检验与二元逻辑回归分析。 结果：总受试者中29.3%（956例）存在耳鸣，该病症在40岁以上人群中患病率更高。罹患中耳（优势比（Odds Ratio, OR）=1.79，95%置信区间（Confidence Interval, CI）=1.02~3.16）与内耳（OR=3.00，95%CI=1.65~5.45）疾病者，出现耳鸣的风险显著升高。研究发现，96.9%（n=927）的耳鸣受试者合并听力损失。中耳炎（60.9%）、老年性聋（presbycusis）与耳硬化症（otosclerosis）是引发耳鸣的最常见耳科疾病。在慢性化脓性中耳炎（chronic suppurative otitis media, CSOM）患者中，耳鸣与更严重程度的听力损失显著相关。 结论：本研究明确了南印度人群中，引发耳鸣且多伴随听力损失的最常见耳科危险因素。