title: Difficulties experienced by tinnitus sufferers.
abstract: Ninety-seven members of a tinnitus self-help group were asked to list the difficulties that they had as a result of their tinnitus. Seventy-two replies were returned from 22 men and 48 women (sex not reported in two cases) whose average age was 61 years. Tinnitus was associated with hearing difficulties in 53%, effects on lifestyle in 93%, effects on general health in 56%, and emotional difficulties in 70% of the sample. Getting to sleep was the most frequently mentioned difficulty, and many respondents indicated that they experienced depression, annoyance, and insecurity. The clinical application of this open-ended questionnaire are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000209:etiology; D000368:Aged; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy