title: Characteristics of tinnitus in adolescents and association with psychoemotional factors.
abstract: The characteristics and underlying mechanisms of tinnitus remain more elusive in the pediatric population than in adults. We investigated the prevalence of tinnitus, its characteristics, and associated factors, with a focus on psychoemotional problems in adolescents.
  
  
  
  Cross-sectional study METHODS: In total, 962 adolescents were surveyed for tinnitus and possibly related otologic and socioeconomic factors. The participants completed a visual analog scale (VAS) pertaining to various aspects of tinnitus, as well as the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), State Anxiety Inventory for Children, Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (TAIC), Internet Addiction Test, Conners' Abbreviated Parent Rating Scale, and a learning disability score. Characteristics of tinnitus were analyzed, and psychoemotional and other factors were compared between tinnitus and nontinnitus groups.
  
  
  
  Approximately one-third of subjects reported experiencing tinnitus. A family history of tinnitus, subjective hearing loss, dizziness, and CDI and TAIC abnormalities were significantly associated with tinnitus. In the tinnitus-always group, tinnitus showed significant relationships with subjective hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and VAS, CDI, and TAIC scores.
  
  
  
  The results suggest that about one-third of adolescents experience tinnitus, which may be related to psychoemotional factors. In particular, anxiety and depression may be important factors to consider in managing tinnitus in adolescents. Further study of tinnitus in adolescents, including efforts toward diagnosis and management, is needed to determine whether there is a causal relationship with anxiety and depression, and the extent to which adverse outcomes may be associated with these psychoemotional factors.
  
  
  
  4 Laryngoscope, 127:2113-2119, 2017.
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam, South Korea.
authors: So Young
authors: SY
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea.
authors: Yung Jin
authors: YJ
authors: Jeon
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea.
authors: Jun-Young
authors: JY
authors: Lee
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea.
authors: Young Ho
authors: YH
authors: Kim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D004244:Dizziness / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Tinnitus; adolescence; anxiety; depression