Characteristics of somatic tinnitus patients with and without hyperacusis.

Related Articles

Characteristics of somatic tinnitus patients with and without hyperacusis.

PLoS One. 2017;12(11):e0188255

Authors: Ralli M, Salvi RJ, Greco A, Turchetta R, De Virgilio A, Altissimi G, Attanasio G, Cianfrone G, de Vincentiis M

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Determine if somatic tinnitus patients with hyperacusis have different characteristics from those without hyperacusis.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: 172 somatic tinnitus patients with (n = 82) and without (n = 90) hyperacusis referred to the Tinnitus Unit of Sapienza University of Rome between June 2012 and June 2016 were compared for demographic characteristics, tinnitus features, self-administered questionnaire scores, nature of somatic modulation and history.
RESULTS: Compared to those without hyperacusis, patients with somatic tinnitus and hyperacusis: (a) were older (43.38 vs 39.12 years, p = 0.05), (b) were more likely to have bilateral tinnitus (67.08% vs 55.56%, p = 0.04), (c) had a higher prevalence of somatic modulation of tinnitus (53.65% vs 36.66%, p = 0.02) and (d) scored significantly worse on tinnitus annoyance (39.34 vs 22.81, p<0.001) and subjective hearing level (8.04 vs 1.83, p<0.001).
CONCLUSION: Our study shows significantly higher tinnitus modulation and worse self-rating of tinnitus and hearing ability in somatic tinnitus patients with hyperacusis versus somatic tinnitus patients without hyperacusis. These differences could prove useful in developing a better understanding of the pathophysiology and establishing a course of treatment for these two groups of patients.

PMID: 29161302 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

from #MedicinebyAlexandrosSfakianakis via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2B9SrBP
via IFTTT