Haji Aseel K, Qashar Abdullah A, Alqahtani Shoog H, Masarit Roaa M, AlSindi Tala S, Ali-Eldin Elsaeid M
College of Medicine and Surgery, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, SAU.
Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, King Abdullah Medical City, Makkah, SAU.
Cureus. 2022 Nov 30;14(11):e32081. doi: 10.7759/cureus.32081. eCollection 2022 Nov.
Background Tinnitus is a common complaint in the general population. Subjective tinnitus is defined as a conscious perception of sound with nonexistent external stimuli. Its exact pathophysiology remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of noise-induced tinnitus among adults aged 15-25 years in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Study design Convenience sampling was used for participant recruitment using an online survey that was distributed online between February and April 2022. The participants performed audiometric hearing tests provided by the investigators. Hearing tests were performed at frequencies of 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000, and 8000 Hz. The test was considered normal if the achieved thresholds were 25 dB HL or less in at least four of the tested frequencies. Those with normal results were asked to fill out a survey inquiring about their demographic information, presence of tinnitus, and tinnitus functional index. Results We included 119 young adults aged 15-25 years. Regarding tinnitus prevalence, 27 (22.7%) adults reported the development of tinnitus after exposure to loud noise, 39 (32.8%) had tinnitus of unknown cause, and 53 (44.5%) had no tinnitus. Regarding the continuity of sound, it was continuous in 14.8% of noise-induced tinnitus, compared to 38.5% of the other group, with a statistical significance of (P=.037). Conclusion The current study revealed high prevalence of tinnitus, which was also suggested by the literature. Several triggers are purportedly related to the development of tinnitus. Constant exposure to loud noise is considered a significant risk factor for tinnitus. Young adults require proper education about the causes of tinnitus and other hearing abnormalities. More importantly, methods to protect and maintain their ear health.
耳鸣是普通人群中的常见主诉。主观性耳鸣被定义为在不存在外部刺激的情况下对声音的有意识感知。其确切的病理生理学仍不清楚。因此，本研究旨在确定沙特阿拉伯麦加15至25岁成年人中噪声性耳鸣的患病率。
采用便利抽样法，通过2022年2月至4月在线分发的在线调查问卷招募参与者。参与者接受了研究人员提供的听力测试。听力测试在250、500、1000、2000、4000和8000赫兹的频率下进行。如果在至少四个测试频率中达到的阈值为25分贝听力级或更低，则该测试被认为是正常的。结果正常的参与者被要求填写一份调查问卷，询问他们的人口统计学信息、耳鸣的存在情况以及耳鸣功能指数。
我们纳入了119名15至25岁的年轻人。关于耳鸣患病率，27名（22.7%）成年人报告在接触高强度噪声后出现耳鸣，39名（32.8%）有不明原因的耳鸣，53名（44.5%）没有耳鸣。关于声音的持续性，在噪声性耳鸣中，14.8%为持续性，而在另一组中为38.5%，具有统计学意义（P = 0.037）。
本研究揭示了耳鸣的高患病率，文献中也有提及。据推测，有几种诱因与耳鸣的发生有关。持续接触高强度噪声被认为是耳鸣的一个重要危险因素。年轻人需要接受关于耳鸣和其他听力异常原因的适当教育。更重要的是，需要了解保护和维持耳部健康的方法。
