Clinical Profile, Hearing Status and Quality-of-Life Impairment among Patients Presenting with Chronic Tinnitus: A Hospital-Based Observational Study

Abstract

Background: Chronic tinnitus is a common otological complaint that may be associated with hearing impairment, sleep disturbance, psychological symptoms, and substantial deterioration in quality of life. Comprehensive assessment of its clinical characteristics, audiological status, and functional impact is important for appropriate management.

Aim: To evaluate the clinical profile, hearing status, and tinnitus-related quality-of-life impairment among patients presenting with chronic tinnitus.

Material and Methods: This hospital-based observational study included 94 consecutive patients aged 18 years and above with subjective tinnitus persisting for at least three months. Detailed demographic and clinical characteristics, tinnitus laterality, duration, pattern, associated symptoms, and relevant risk factors were recorded. Audiological evaluation included pure tone audiometry, speech discrimination testing, and tympanometry. Tinnitus severity was assessed using a visual analogue scale, while quality-of-life impairment was evaluated using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 24.0, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results: The mean age of patients was 46.32±13.84 years, and 55.32% were males. Unilateral tinnitus was present in 60.64%, while 64.89% reported continuous tinnitus. Hearing difficulty was the most common associated complaint (67.02%), followed by sleep disturbance (52.13%). Hearing loss was identified in 82.98% of patients, with sensorineural hearing loss predominating (63.83%). The mean pure tone average was 40.27±18.41 dB HL. The mean VAS score was 5.72±2.10 and mean THI score was 49.84±22.40. Severe-to-catastrophic tinnitus handicap was observed in 39.36% of patients. THI scores showed significant positive correlations with pure tone average (r=0.51; p<0.001) and VAS severity (r=0.68; p<0.001). Longer tinnitus duration, hearing loss, sleep disturbance, anxiety-related symptoms, and higher VAS scores were independently associated with greater handicap.

Conclusion: Chronic tinnitus was frequently associated with hearing loss and significant quality-of-life impairment. Audiological, clinical, and psychosocial assessment should form an integral part of tinnitus evaluation.