Pitch and Loudness from Tinnitus in Individuals with Noise-induced Hearing Loss

Abstract

Introduction Tinnitus is one of the symptoms that affects individuals suffering from noise induced hearing loss. This condition can be disabling, leading the affected individual to turn away from work.Objective This literature review aims to analyze the possible association between gender and tinnitus pitch and loudness, the degree of hearing loss and the frequencies affected in subjects with noise-induced hearing loss.Methods This contemporary cohort study was conducted through a cross-sectional analysis. The study sample consisted of adults with unilateral or bilateral tinnitus, who had been diagnosed with noise-induced hearing loss. The patients under analysis underwent an otorhinolaryngological evaluation, pure tone audiometry, and acuphenometry.Results The study included 33 subjects with noise-induced hearing loss diagnoses, of which 22 (66.7%) were men. Authors observed no statistical difference between gender and loudness/pitch tinnitus and loudness/pitch in subjects with bilateral tinnitus. Authors found an inverse relation between tinnitus loudness with intensity greater hearing threshold and the average of the thresholds and the grade of hearing loss. The tinnitus pitch showed no association with higher frequency of hearing threshold.Conclusion Data analysis shows that, among the individuals evaluated, the greater the hearing loss, the lower the loudness of tinnitus. We did not observe an association between hearing loss and tinnitus pitch.

Current insights in noise-induced hearing loss: a literature review of the underlying mechanism, pathophysiology, asymmetry, and management options

“…Although the majority of individuals with NIHL present with bilateral tinnitus, unilateral tinnitus is reported as well, with a prevalence of up to 47% [124–126]. Tinnitus is more prevalent on the left side [124, 125] consistent with the asymmetry documented in NIHL. The severity of the tinnitus may be associated with the degree of NIHL [126, 127].…”

Work-Related Noise Exposure in a Cohort of Patients with Chronic Tinnitus: Analysis of Demographic and Audiological Characteristics

“…The association between hearing loss, tinnitus and occupation has been previously demonstrated [ 34 , 43 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 ]. The aim of this study was to survey patients with chronic tinnitus with and without a history of long-term work-related noise exposure, comparing demographic variables, tinnitus and hearing loss characteristics and self-administered questionnaire responses for tinnitus, hearing loss and hyperacusis.…”

Perfil clínico e implicações do zumbido em indivíduos com e sem perda auditiva

“…Researchers, even in the 1990s, reported little relation between these factors, as well as correlation of loudness with the stress and handicap caused by tinnitus (27) . More recent studies point to the intensity of tinnitus as a possible predictor of perception of the symptom's severity (2,28) , as well as moderate correlations between intensity and degree of annoyance (17) .…”

“…According to epidemiological studies, it affects between 5 and 30% of the population, with greater incidence in men (1) . Approximately 15% of cases lead to negative interference in daily life, and about 5% are considered disabling (2) .…”