Amplifiers in Tinnitus Patients

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: High tinnitus loudness can be provoked by peripheral disorders of the somatosensory and/or auditory system. OBJECTIVES: The object of our study was to compare high tinnitus loudness patients with low tinnitus loudness patients and to find specific factors associated with high tinnitus loudness. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort analysis of 234 patients with tinnitus as main complaint who visited our clinic in a four-year period. METHODS: Data obtained from the subjects were age, sex, the loudness of tinnitus estimated by the VAS, and the outcomes of the audiogram and the cervical spine radiograph. RESULTS: High tinnitus loudness was associated with a higher prevalence of females, more dizziness, less self-perceived hearing loss, more cervical disc degeneration at C3 to C6, and a larger anterior spur of cervical vertebrae C3 to C6. Females had a lower prevalence of tinnitus but a higher chance on high tinnitus loudness. Gender, the size of the largest anterior spur from C3 to C6, and the ratio of hearing loss at 8 kHz and hearing loss at 2 kHz are involved in the amplification of tinnitus loudness. CONCLUSIONS: High tinnitus loudness can be provoked by peripheral disorders of the somatosensory and/or auditory system. A steep audiometric edge between hearing at 2 kHz and hearing at 8 kHz and/or cervical spine pathology with sympathetic nervous system irritation can amplify tinnitus loudness causing high tinnitus loudness.