Audiometric Thresholds and Tinnitus Functional Index of Adult Patients with Tinnitus Volume 6 - Issue 2

Oluyomi Samuel Ayodele¹*, David Adekunle Dunmade^1,2 and Emmanuel Foluwasayo^1,2

• ¹Department of Ear Nose and Throat Surgery, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria
• ²Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences. University of Ilorin, Nigeria

Received: March 26, 2021;   Published: April 07, 2021

Corresponding author: Oluyomi Samuel Ayodele, Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara State Nigeria

DOI: 10.32474/SJO.2021.06.000235

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Abstract

Introduction: Tinnitus is a common irritating symptom. Tinnitus functional index (TFI) and measurements of tinnitus match are useful tools for evaluating tinnitus impact. This study aimed at comparing the hearing thresholds to the Quality of life (QoL) of tinnitus patients.

Methodology: Clinical assessment, Pure tone audiometry (PTA), and QoL assessment were carried out. The data gathered from the study were evaluated and results were interpreted.

Results: The mean age of tinnitus subjects was 51.7 years. Male to female ratio was 1:1.4. Higher number of subjects experienced chronic tinnitus. High frequency and the tinnitus loudness above 15dB were the highest among them. The association between the QoL assessment and tinnitus loudness match (TLM) was statistically significant. Similarly, there was positive correlation between the TFI scores and pure tone average (PTAv), tinnitus pitch match and TLM.

Conclusion: Most patients described their experience of tinnitus as a big problem. There was a positive correlation between the pure tone average, TLM and the QoL measure. Routine measurement of tinnitus distress with TFI and psychoacoustic assessments were advocated.

Keywords: Tinnitus functional index; quality of life; pure tone average; psychoacoustic assessments

Abbreviations: TFI: Tinnitus Functional Index; QoL: Quality of Life; PTA: Pure Tone Audiometry; TLM: Tinnitus Loudness Match

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