Characteristics of temporary noise-induced tinnitus in male and female subjects.
Reversible tinnitus was induced in 10 male and 8 female normal-hearing subjects following a 5 min 110 dB SPL exposure to white noise. Temporary threshold shift (TTS) was measured at 2 and 4 kHz. Characteristics of the tinnitus were determined by means of a written questionnaire administered 5 min following termination of the noise. Most of the subjects experienced a continuous tonal tinnitus of moderate loudness. Characterization of the tinnitus regarding spectral quality, type of sound, and perceived location differed as a function of gender. No difference in TTS measured at 2 and 4 kHz was seen as a function of gender. Positive relationships of fair to moderate strength were revealed between pre-exposure thresholds, TTS, and tinnitus pitch and level.
D001309:Auditory Threshold; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009622:Noise / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012737:Sex Factors; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*