ORIGINAL: Relationship between Tinnitus and Hearing Loss among Elderly Patients in Lagos State, Nigeria

West Afr J Med. 2024 October; 41(10): 987-992 PMID: 40008931

Abstract

Background: Tinnitus is a common symptom among Otorhinolaryngology patients.

Objectives: This study aims to assess the prevalence of tinnitus and its relationship with hearing loss among the elderly in Lagos.

Methods: Elderly patients attending general outpatient clinics at the model primary health centers in three randomly selected local government areas of Lagos state were recruited. A semi-structured questionnaire was utilized to obtain their socio-demographic data, tinnitus, and hearing loss history. Their ear, nose, and throat were examined, and those with wax/debris impaction had appropriate treatment. Their hearing was assessed with Pure Tone Audiometry.

Results: Three hundred and nine elderly patients aged 65 to 94 years, and a mean age of 72.3± 6.3 years were studied. There were 134 males and 175 females with male: female ratio of 1:1.3. Tinnitus was present in 62(20.1%) of all participants, was unilateral in 43(69.4%), and bilateral in 19(30.6%) totaling 81(13.1%) ears. Tinnitus prevalence in age groups 65-69 and ≥ 85 years were 19/129(14.7%) and 9/17(52.9%) respectively. Hearing loss was present in 450/618 (72.8%) of the ears of the study participants, 76/81 (98.3%), and 374/537 (69.7%) of the ears of participants with and without tinnitus respectively. Tinnitus was present in 76/450(16.9%) of ears with hearing loss and 5/168(3.0%) of ears with normal hearing, and in 12/182(6.6%), 19/24(72.9%), and 17/19(89.5%) ears that had mild, severe and profound hearing loss respectively.

Conclusion: The prevalence of tinnitus was 20.1% generally and increased significantly with age. Tinnitus was statistically significantly related to age, educational level, presence of hearing loss, and severity.