Clinical and Audiological Characteristics in Adults with Tinnitus in South Africa

Overview

Journal S Afr J Commun Disord

Specialty Otorhinolaryngology

Date 2024 Dec 3

PMID 39625085

Authors

Katijah Khoza-Shangase

Snethemba P Mkhize

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: In South Africa, the prevalence of tinnitus and its associated clinical and audiological characteristics remain underexplored, posing challenges in the assessment and management of the condition. This knowledge gap affects clinician preparedness and effectiveness in treating tinnitus.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the clinical and audiological characteristics of adult patients reporting tinnitus at a tertiary academic hospital in South Africa.

Method: A quantitative, non-experimental, retrospective review of 129 patient audiological records from the Audiology Department at Helen Joseph Hospital was conducted. Among these, 71 records were of patients who reported experiences of tinnitus.

Results: Tinnitus was reported by 55% of patients, with a higher prevalence in females (76%). The mean age of patients was 51.9 years. Unilateral tinnitus was present in 28% of cases, while 78% of patients had hearing loss, predominantly sensorineural. Common audiological characteristics included vertigo (24%), otalgia (14%), otorrhea (17%) and perforated tympanic membrane (15%). Clinical conditions associated with tinnitus included hypertension (32%), heart disease (28%), diabetes (9%) and head trauma (9%). Findings regarding age and gender differences in the clinical and audiological manifestations of tinnitus are presented.

Conclusion: Further research with larger, diverse samples and prospective designs is necessary to confirm these findings and explore possible underlying causes.Contribution: The findings highlight the significant prevalence of tinnitus and its association with various clinical and audiological conditions in the South African context. Understanding these characteristics will enhance the clinician's ability to accurately assess, diagnose and manage tinnitus, leading to improved treatment outcomes.

References

Kang H, Kang D, Kim S, Oh T, Kim S, Yeo S . Analysis of Chronic Tinnitus in Noise-Induced Hearing Loss and Presbycusis. J Clin Med. 2021; 10(8). PMC: 8074034. DOI: 10.3390/jcm10081779. View

Baguley D, Atlas M . Cochlear implants and tinnitus. Prog Brain Res. 2007; 166:347-55. DOI: 10.1016/S0079-6123(07)66033-6. View

Langguth B, Landgrebe M, Frank E, Schecklmann M, Sand P, Vielsmeier V . Efficacy of different protocols of transcranial magnetic stimulation for the treatment of tinnitus: Pooled analysis of two randomized controlled studies. World J Biol Psychiatry. 2012; 15(4):276-85. DOI: 10.3109/15622975.2012.708438. View

Akhtar S, Ali Shah S, Rafiq M, Khan A . Research design and statistical methods in Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences (PJMS). Pak J Med Sci. 2016; 32(1):151-4. PMC: 4795858. DOI: 10.12669/pjms.321.9033. View

Oiticica J, Bittar R . Tinnitus prevalence in the city of São Paulo. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2015; 81(2):167-76. PMC: 9449016. DOI: 10.1016/j.bjorl.2014.12.004. View

Lasisi A, Abiona T, Gureje O . Tinnitus in the elderly: Profile, correlates, and impact in the Nigerian Study of Ageing. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2010; 143(4):510-5. DOI: 10.1016/j.otohns.2010.06.817. View

Jarach C, Lugo A, Scala M, van den Brandt P, Cederroth C, Odone A . Global Prevalence and Incidence of Tinnitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Neurol. 2022; 79(9):888-900. PMC: 9361184. DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2022.2189. View

Sharma J, Mabhida S, Myers B, Apalata T, Nicol E, Benjeddou M . Prevalence of Hypertension and Its Associated Risk Factors in a Rural Black Population of Mthatha Town, South Africa. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021; 18(3). PMC: 7908535. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18031215. View

Saeed S, Umaira Khan Q . The Pathological Mechanisms and Treatments of Tinnitus. Discoveries (Craiova). 2022; 9(3):e137. PMC: 8956333. DOI: 10.15190/d.2021.16. View

10.

Sourgen P, Ross E . Perceptions of tinnitus in a group of senior citizens. S Afr J Commun Disord. 1999; 45:61-75. View

11.

Du H, Feng X, Qian X, Zhang J, Liu B, Li A . Recent-onset and persistent tinnitus: Uncovering the differences in brain activities using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging technologies. Front Neurosci. 2022; 16:976095. PMC: 9627982. DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.976095. View

12.

McCormack A, Edmondson-Jones M, Somerset S, Hall D . A systematic review of the reporting of tinnitus prevalence and severity. Hear Res. 2016; 337:70-9. DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2016.05.009. View

13.

Gearing R, Mian I, Barber J, Ickowicz A . A methodology for conducting retrospective chart review research in child and adolescent psychiatry. J Can Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2008; 15(3):126-34. PMC: 2277255. View

14.

Newman C, Sandridge S, Bea S, Cherian K, Cherian N, Kahn K . Tinnitus: patients do not have to 'just live with it'. Cleve Clin J Med. 2011; 78(5):312-9. DOI: 10.3949/ccjm.78a.10136. View

15.

Han B, Lee H, Kim T, Lim J, Shin K . Tinnitus: characteristics, causes, mechanisms, and treatments. J Clin Neurol. 2009; 5(1):11-9. PMC: 2686891. DOI: 10.3988/jcn.2009.5.1.11. View

16.

Lewis R, Jahn K, Parthasarathy A, Goedicke W, Polley D . Audiometric Predictors of Bothersome Tinnitus in a Large Clinical Cohort of Adults With Sensorineural Hearing Loss. Otol Neurotol. 2020; 41(4):e414-e421. PMC: 7366362. DOI: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000002568. View

17.

Millar A, Joubert K, Naude A . Prevalence of hearing loss and tinnitus in a group of adults with Human Immunodeficiency Virus. S Afr J Commun Disord. 2020; 67(1):e1-e7. PMC: 7059238. DOI: 10.4102/sajcd.v67i1.631. View

18.

Cima R, Mazurek B, Haider H, Kikidis D, Lapira A, Norena A . A multidisciplinary European guideline for tinnitus: diagnostics, assessment, and treatment. HNO. 2019; 67(Suppl 1):10-42. DOI: 10.1007/s00106-019-0633-7. View

19.

Zeman F, Koller M, Schecklmann M, Langguth B, Landgrebe M . Tinnitus assessment by means of standardized self-report questionnaires: psychometric properties of the Tinnitus Questionnaire (TQ), the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), and their short versions in an international and multi-lingual sample. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2012; 10:128. PMC: 3541124. DOI: 10.1186/1477-7525-10-128. View

20.

Peltzer K, Phaswana-Mafuya N . Hypertension and associated factors in older adults in South Africa. Cardiovasc J Afr. 2013; 24(3):67-71. PMC: 3721893. DOI: 10.5830/CVJA-2013-002. View