Demographic Variations in Tinnitus Subjects with and without Hearing Loss: A Study of 175 Subjects.

OBJECTIVES

This research was conducted to investigate the presenting features of tinnitus in subjects with normal hearing thresholds as compared to the ones with hearing loss.

METHODOLOGY

Sample population comprised of 175 subjects with tinnitus, in the age range of 18 to 55 years, segregated into two groups: G1 (75 subjects) having normal hearing with tinnitus and G2 (100 subjects) having hearing loss with tinnitus. All the subjects underwent conventional audiometric testing along with a thorough evaluation of all the parameters of tinnitus.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Significantly large number of males reported with tinnitus as compared to females. Tinnitus was most prevailing in left ear and these subjects sought intervention earlier than right tinnitus subjects. G1 subjects reported earlier as compared to G2 subjects. Males looked out for specialist's advice earlier than females in both the groups. Large number of subjects in both groups reported with sudden onset and continuous tinnitus.