Description of tinnitus and its relation to discomfort level in a group of elderly hearing aid wearers.

Description of tinnitus and its relation to discomfort level in a group of elderly hearing aid wearers.

Int Tinnitus J. 2016;20(1):36-41

Authors: Cribari J, Ribas A, Fonseca VR, Moretti CM, Zeigelboim BS, Martins J, Rosa MR

Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Evaluating quality of life for tinnitus patients has been an interest of several specialties that have seen the negative impact that the disorder has on people.
OBJECTIVE: To assess and qualify tinnitus in a group of elderly hearing aid wearers.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study involving 53 elderly patients with tinnitus without remission after wearing hearing aids. All subjects were submitted to: a medical evaluation, an audiological evaluation, acuphenometry, an investigation of tinnitus annoyance level and quality of life.
RESULTS: There were 20 men and 33 women. The mean age was 72.5 years. The sample was mostly characterized by having sensorineural hearing loss (84%), moderate to moderately severe (86%) and downward sloping (82%). With respect to the description of the tinnitus sound, the most common were a hissing sound (93%) of average pitch (84%). Regarding the subjects' perception of tinnitus, it was found that subjects had varying levels of annoyance: mild (25%), moderate (33%), severe (22%), most severe (20%). Men are more bothered by tinnitus than women. Most of the sample reported being satisfied or very satisfied with their quality of life.
CONCLUSION: It was possible to evaluate and qualify tinnitus in the sample. Although tinnitus is a frequent audiological symptom that interferes in the life of the elderly, in the sample it did not weigh heavily in terms of quality of life.

PMID: 27488992 [PubMed - in process]

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