title: Is Hypozincemia Related to Tinnitus?: A Population Study Using Data From the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of present study was to determine the relationship between serum zinc level and tinnitus using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES).
  
  
  METHODS
  The present study examined the relationship between serum zinc level and tinnitus using data from the KNHANES. A total of 2,225 KNHANES participants responded to the tinnitus questionnaire and provided blood samples to measure serum zinc concentration. Based on questionnaire responses, participants were categorized into control, mild tinnitus, moderate tinnitus, and severe tinnitus subgroups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences between groups in serum zinc level after adjustment for sex, age, and hearing loss.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It was concluded that hypozincemia is not related to tinnitus in a large population.
authors.affiliation: Deparment of Otology, Yeplus Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinics, Ansan, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyung Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Jun
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sohea
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ok
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tyler
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Statistics, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Soon Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sungwon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chae
keywords: Hearing Loss; Serum Zinc; Tinnitus; Zinc Deficiency