Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Impact of Tinnitus on Sufferers in Indian Population

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Tinnitus is a very common complain and affects 7% of population and has been associated with a range of physical and emotional disorders (Hallam et al. in Br J Clin Psychol 27:213–222, 1988). Hence to understand the distress caused by tinnitus and its relationship with the nature of tinnitus so as to suggest the appropriate treatment, there is the need to study the impact of tinnitus of a group of tinnitus sufferers. This study could be done on the basis of verbal description of tinnitus, Audiological measurement of tinnitus and psychological characteristics of tinnitus in terms of distress, anxiety, depression and disturbance of personality, to understand the impact of tinnitus on sufferers. Fifty adults in the age range of 18–60 years with subjective tinnitus with bilateral normal hearing or pure SNHL ranging from mild to moderately severe were selected. An audiological profile of each subject was prepared on the basis of brief case history of subject, otoscopic examination, pure tone audiometry, impedance audiometry, frequency (pitch) and intensity (loudness) of tinnitus. A psychometric profile was developed by using Tinnitus Reaction Questionnaire and Nature of Tinnitus Questionnaire. These questionnaires were translated and adopted in Hindi and Bengali language after appropriate standardization procedure. 60% reported that they do not have any idea regarding probable cause of their tinnitus. 74% subjects of this study reported that there is no fluctuation in the pitch of their tinnitus. However, 68% reported loudness of tinnitus is fluctuating. A weak co-relation has been seen between traditional audiological measures like pitch matching, loudness matching and subject’s description of pitch and loudness of tinnitus. There was a significant correlation between the impact of tinnitus and disturbance of sleep caused by it with increase in depression and anger (0.483). However, no significant co-relation was seen between distressed caused by tinnitus and duration of tinnitus (−0.034). The multiple nature/sounds of tinnitus had far more devastating effects or serious impact on ‘tinnitus sufferers’ than the single sound/nature. Gender differences were also found among tinnitus sufferers while assessing the audiological and psychological measures of tinnitus. Female subjects also reported a higher level of emotional reaction with a mean of 35.9 to their tinnitus as compared to males with a mean of 31.7. Tinnitus has resulted in multifold effects/impacts on tinnitus sufferers where it has made them feel unhappy, tense, irritable, depressed, annoyed, distressed and frustrated. It has interfered with their enjoyment, their relaxation, their sleep, and forced them to avoid quiet environmental and social situations. These findings should further help in the overall management of the patient suffering from tinnitus.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Coles RRA (1984) Epidemiology of tinnitus (2) Demographic and clinical features. J Laryngol Otol supplement 9:195–202. (Cited in Rosenhall U, Karlsson A (1991) Tinnitus in old age. Scand Audiol 20:165–171)

  2. Dineen R, Doyle J, Bench J (1993) Coping strategies: an approach to understanding how people manage tinnitus. (Cited in Dineen R, Doyle J, Bench J (1997) Managing tinnitus: comparison of different approaches to tinnitus management training. Br J Audiol 31:27–38)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Dineen R, Doyle J, Bench J (1996) Audiological & Psychological characteristic of a group of tennitus sufferer, prior to the tinnitus management training. Br J Audiol 31:27–38

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Hallam RS, Rachman S, Hinchecliffe R (1984) Psychological aspects of tinnitus. In Rachman S (ed) Contributions of medical psychology. Pergamon Press, Oxford, pp 31–53 (In Dineen R, Doyle J, Bench J (1997) Managing tinnitus: a comparison of different approaches to tinnitus management training. Br J Audiol 31:331–334)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Hallam RS, Jakes SC, Hinchcliffe R (1988) Cognitive variables in tinnitus annoyance. Br J Clin Psychol 27:213–222 (Cited in Dineen R, Doyle J, Bench J (1997) Managing tinnitus: a comparison of different approaches to tinnitus management training. Br J Audiol 31:27–38)

  6. Hallberg LR-M, Erlandsson SI (1993). Tinnitus characterisitics in tinnitus complainers and non complainers. Br J Audiol 27:19–27

    Google Scholar 

  7. Henry JA, Loovis C, Montero M, Kaelin C, James K (2007) Based on tinnitus retraining therapy. J Rehabil Res Dev 44(1):21–32

    Google Scholar 

  8. House JW, Brackman DE (1981) Tinnitus: surgical treatment. In: Evered D, Lawreson G (eds) Ciba foundation symposium 85: tinnitus. Pitman, London, pp 204–211

    Google Scholar 

  9. Jakes SC, Hallam RS, Rachman S, Hinchliffe R (1986) The effect of reassurance, relation training and distraction on chronic tinnitus sufferers. Behav Res Ther 24:497–507 (Cited in Kemps S, George RN (1992) Diariesof tinnitus sufferers. Br J Audiol 26:382–386)

  10. Kemps S, George RN (1992) Diaries of tinnitus sufferers. Br J Audiol 26:382–386

    Google Scholar 

  11. Kirsch CA, Blanchard EB, Parnes SM (1989) Psychological characteristics of individual high and low in their ability to cope with tinnitus. Psychosom Med 51:209–217 (Cited in Dineen R, Doyle J, Bench J (1997) Managing tinnitus: a comparison of different approaches to tinnitus management training. Br J Audiol 31:27–38)

  12. Lindberg P, Lyttkens L, Melin L, Scott B (1984) Tinnitus incidence and handicap. Scand Audiol 13:287–291

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Lindberg P, Scott B, Melin L, Lyttkens L (1987) Long terms effect of Psychological treatment of tinnitus. Scand Audiol 16:167–172

    Google Scholar 

  14. Longridge NS (1981) A tinnitus clinic. J Otolaryngol 8(5):390–395 (Cited in Slater R, Terry M (1987). Tinnitus: definitions, causes and theories of tinnitus. Croomhelm, USA pp 167–176)

  15. Meikle M, Taylors Walsh E (1984) Characteristics of tinnitus and related observations in over 1800 tinnitus clinic patients. In: Proceedings of the second international tinnitus seminar, Supplement 90, pp 17–21 (Cited in Van ED, Jacobs JB, Bensing JM (1998) Assessment of distress with tinnitus. J Laryngol Otol 112:258–263)

    Google Scholar 

  16. National Centre for Health Statistics (1980) Basic data on hearing levels of adults, 25–74 years. United States, 1971–1975. Vital and health statistics publication series, 11, No. 215 (Cited in Van ED, Jacobs JB, Bensing JM (1998) Assessment of distress associated with tinnitus. J Laryngol Otol 112:258–263)

    Google Scholar 

  17. Slater R, Terry M (1987a) Tinnitus: definitions, causes and theories of tinnitus. Croom Helm, USA, pp 132–142

    Google Scholar 

  18. Slater R, Terry M (1987b) Tinnitus: a guide for sufferers and professional. Croom Helm Ltd, London

    Google Scholar 

  19. Spitzer JB (1981) Auditory effects on chronic alcoholism. Drug Alcohol Depend 8(4):317–335

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Stouffer JL, Tyler RS (1990) Characteristics of tinnitus by tinnitus patients. J Speech Hear Disord 55:439–453

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Tyler RS, Baker LJ (1983) Difficulties experienced by tinnitus sufferers. J Speech Hear Disord 48:150–154

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Wilson PH, Henry J, Bowen M, Haralambous G (1991) Tinnitus Reaction Questionnaire: psychometric properties of a measure of distress with tinnitus. J Speech Hear Res 34:197–201

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgment

I have no words to express my gratitude to my director Mr R. Rangasayee, AYJNIHH, who patiently helped me with the problems that I encountered.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. AYJNIHH, ERC, B.T. Road, Bonhooghly, Kolkata, 700090, West Bengal, India

    Sujoy Kumar Makar

  2. Indian Otolaryngologist Association, Kolkata, India

    Anirban Biswas

  3. Vertigo and Deafness Clinic, Saltlake City, Kolkata, 700091, West Bengal, India

    Pragati Shatapathy

Authors
  1. Sujoy Kumar Makar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Anirban Biswas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Pragati Shatapathy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sujoy Kumar Makar.

Appendices

Appendix 1

Nature of Tinnitus Questionnaire

Name of the subject:

Age & Gender:

Date of tinnitus assessment

  1. 1)

    Duration of tinnitus (6 month/1 year/pl. specify - - - - - - -)

  1. 2)

    Where is your tinnitus?

    • Lt ear

    • Rt ear

    • Both ears, equally

    • Any other - - - - - - -

  1. 3)

    Describe the most prominent pitch of your tinnitus.

    • 1 2 3 4 5       1—very low (below &250 HZ), 2—low (500 HZ), 3—medium (1000–3000 HZ), 4—high (4000–6000 HZ), 5—very high (>6000 HZ)

  1. 4)

    Does the pitch of tinnitus fluctuating? (In a day i.e. within 24 h it increases or decreases more than two times)

    • Yes

    • No

    • If yes give details - - - - - - -

  1. 5)

    Describe the loudness of your tinnitus.

    • 1 2 3 4 5       1—very faint (below &0 dBSL), 2—faint (5 dBSL), 3—medium(10 dBSL), 4—loud(15 dBSL), 5—very loud (>20 dBSL).

  1. 6)

    DOES THE LOUDNESS OF TINNITUS FLUCTUATING? (In a day i. e. within 24 h it increases or decreases more than two times).

    • Yes

    • No

    • IF YES GIVE DETAILS - - - - - - -

  1. 7)

    WHICH OF FOLLOWING QUALITIES BEST DESCRIBES YOUR TINNITUS?

    • Buzzing

    • Hissing

    • Humming

    • Ringing

    • Whistling

    • Any other, pl specify - - - - - - -

  1. 8)

    WHEN YOU HAVE YOUR TINNITUS, WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING MAKES IT

    WORSE? (Tick all of these that apply to you)

    • Consuming Alcohol

    • Being in a noisy place

    • Being in a quite place

    • Changing head position

    • Consuming Tea/Coffee

    • Consuming Drugs/Medicine

    • Lack of sleep

    • When you are excited.

    • Early in morning.

    • Nothing above makes it worse.

    • Any other please specify - - - - - - -

  1. 9)

    ACCORDING TO YOU WHAT ARE THE PROBABLE CAUSE OF YOUR TINNITUS?

    • Accident

    • Consuming Alcohol

    • Consuming Drug/Medicine

    • Noise Exposure

    • Smoking

    • Surgery

    • Any other pl specify - - - - - - -

    • I have no idea.

Appendix 2

Tinnitus Reaction Questionnaire

Name:

Age/Sex:

Occupation:

Following are the statements describing the possible reactions to your tinnitus. Mark any number between 0 and 4 that best describes the reaction to your tinnitus.

The numbers from 0 to 4 are described as follows:

  • 0 – Not at all.

  • 1 – Little of the time

  • 2 – Some of the time

  • 3 – A good deal of the time

  • 4 – Almost all of the time

     

    Sr. no.

    Statements

    Scales

    0

    1

    2

    3

    4

    1.

    My tinnitus has made me unhappy

    		     

    2.

    My tinnitus has made me feel tense

    		     

    3.

    My tinnitus has made me feel irritable

    		     

    4.

    My tinnitus has made me feel angry

    		     

    5.

    My tinnitus has led me to cry

    		     

    6.

    My tinnitus has led me to avoid quiet situations

    		     

    7.

    My tinnitus has made me feel less interested in going out

    		     

    8.

    My tinnitus has made me feel depressed

    		     

    9.

    My tinnitus has made me feel annoyed

    		     

    10.

    My tinnitus has made me feel confused

    		     

    11.

    My tinnitus has ‘driven me crazy’

    		     

    12.

    My tinnitus has interfered with my enjoyment of life

    		     

    13.

    My tinnitus has made it hard for me to concentrate

    		     

    14.

    My tinnitus has made it hard for me to relax

    		     

    15.

    My tinnitus has made me feel distressed

    		     

    16.

    My tinnitus has made me feel helpless

    		     

    17.

    My tinnitus has made me feel frustrated with things

    		     

    18.

    My tinnitus has interfered with my ability to work

    		     

    19.

    My tinnitus has led me to despair

    		     

    20.

    My tinnitus has made me to avoid noisy situations

    		     

    21.

    My tinnitus has made me to avoid social situations

    		     

    22.

    My tinnitus has made me feel hopeless about the future

    		     

    23.

    My tinnitus has interfered with my sleep

    		     

    24.

    My tinnitus has led me to think about suicide

    		     

    25.

    My tinnitus has made me feel panicky

    		     

    26.

    My tinnitus has made me feel tormented

    		     

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Makar, S.K., Biswas, A. & Shatapathy, P. The Impact of Tinnitus on Sufferers in Indian Population. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 66 (Suppl 1), 37–51 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-011-0291-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-011-0291-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation