Tinnitus and vertigo in healthy senior citizens without a history of noise exposure.

The prevalence of tinnitus and dizziness in healthy elderly adults has been uncertain. This study investigated 267 people between the ages of 57 and 91 1/2 years. The subjects had no history of noise exposure, systemic diseases associated with tinnitus or disequilibrium, and had normal otoscopic examination results. Twenty-four percent reported tinnitus. Five percent experienced dizziness. Additional studies will help clarify the prevalence of these symptoms in the elderly "normal" population.