Abstract
Objective: Tinnitus is a sensation of noise. In most cases it is accompanied by hearing loss, but it can be an independent symptom occurring in patients with normal hearing. We want to compare the impact of tinnitus on quality of life in patients with or without associated hearing loss.
Method: We selected patients with chronic and disturbing tinnitus. They underwent audiometry and answered the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) in order to evaluate and quantify the impact of tinnitus. The criterion defined as the threshold of hearing loss records was less than 25 dB at all frequencies in either ear.
Results: From January 2005 to January 2011, 308 patients were included. The patients were divided into 2 groups: 1) with hearing loss (n = 272), and 2) with normal hearing (n = 34). Among patients with normal hearing, the average score on the THI was 33.8, whereas among patients with hearing loss, the average was 42.33, P = .04 (t test).
Conclusion: Patients with hearing loss have a mean THI significantly higher than patients with normal hearing. Thus, we found that although the tinnitus alone would lead to worse quality of life of patients, hearing loss is one factor that contributes additionally and independently.
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