title: The impact of tinnitus characteristics and associated variables on tinnitus-related handicap.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to determine the characteristics of tinnitus and tinnitus-related variables and explore their possible relationship with tinnitus-related handicap.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-one patients with chronic tinnitus were included. The study protocol measured hearing status, tinnitus pitch, loudness, maskability and loudness discomfort levels. All patients filled in the Tinnitus Sample Case History Questionnaire, the Hyperacusis Questionnaire and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory. The relationship of each variable with the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory score was evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five univariables were associated with the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory score: loudness discomfort level, subjective tinnitus loudness, tinnitus awareness, noise intolerance and Hyperacusis Questionnaire score. Multiple regression analysis showed that the Hyperacusis Questionnaire score and tinnitus awareness were independently associated with the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory score.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hyperacusis and tinnitus awareness were independently associated with the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory score. Questionnaires on tinnitus and hyperacusis are especially suited to providing additional insight into tinnitus-related handicap and are therefore useful for evaluating tinnitus patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences,Ghent University,Belgium.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Degeest
authors.affiliation: Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences,Ghent University,Belgium.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Corthals
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology,Ghent University,Belgium.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dhooge
authors.affiliation: Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences,Ghent University,Belgium.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Keppler
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012044:Regression Analysis; D057566:Self Report; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Hyperacusis; Quality of Life; Tinnitus