The impact of tinnitus on quality of life in older adults.
Few population-based data exist to assess the impact of tinnitus on quality of life. As part of the Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study, self-reported data on tinnitus and quality of life were obtained by interview at the first follow-up examination (1998-2000; N = 2800; ages 53-97 years). The Medical Outcomes Study Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used to assess quality of life. Adjusted mean SF-36 scores decreased (worsened) with increasing tinnitus severity (None, Mild, Moderate, Severe) for the Role-Physical, Bodily Pain, Vitality, and Mental Health domains, and the Physical Component Summary scale (F-tests for linear trend, p < .05). Scores tended to be lower for those who first reported tinnitus at the follow-up (five-year incidence of tinnitus) compared to those who reported tinnitus at the baseline and follow-up examinations (prevalent tinnitus). This study documents clear associations between tinnitus and reduced quality of life in this large cohort of older adults.
Nondahl
David M
DM
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, 610 Walnut Street, Room 1040, Madison, WI 53726-2397, USA. Nondahl@episense.wisc.edu
Cruickshanks
Karen J
KJ
Dalton
Dayna S
DS
Klein
Barbara E K
BE
Klein
Ronald
R
Schubert
Carla R
CR
Tweed
Ted S
TS
Wiley
Terry L
TL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone / Q000379:methods; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000523:psychology*