TY - JOUR
T1 - Prevalence and characteristics of tinnitus in older adults
T2 - The Blue Mountains Hearing Study
AU - Sindhusake, Doungkamol
AU - Mitchell, Paul
AU - Newall, Philip
AU - Golding, Maryanne
AU - Rochtchina, Elena
AU - Rubin, George
PY - 2003/7
Y1 - 2003/7
N2 - There have been few recent estimates of the prevalence of tinnitus from large population-based samples of older persons. Our study aimed to assess the prevalence and characteristics of prolonged tinnitus in a representative sample of 2015 adults aged 55-99 years, residing in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, Australia, during 1997-99. All participants underwent a detailed hearing examination by an audiologist, including comprehensive questions about hearing. After age adjustment, subjects reporting tinnitus had significantly worse hearing at both lower and higher frequencies (p<0.001). This difference was more marked in younger than in older subjects (p<0.05). Overall, 602 subjects (30.3%) reported having experienced tinnitus, with 48% reporting symptoms in both ears. Tinnitus had been present for at least 6 years in 50% of cases, and most (55%) reported a gradual onset. Despite tinnitus being described as mildly to extremely annoying by 67%, only 37% had sought professional help, and only 6% had received any treatment.
AB - There have been few recent estimates of the prevalence of tinnitus from large population-based samples of older persons. Our study aimed to assess the prevalence and characteristics of prolonged tinnitus in a representative sample of 2015 adults aged 55-99 years, residing in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, Australia, during 1997-99. All participants underwent a detailed hearing examination by an audiologist, including comprehensive questions about hearing. After age adjustment, subjects reporting tinnitus had significantly worse hearing at both lower and higher frequencies (p<0.001). This difference was more marked in younger than in older subjects (p<0.05). Overall, 602 subjects (30.3%) reported having experienced tinnitus, with 48% reporting symptoms in both ears. Tinnitus had been present for at least 6 years in 50% of cases, and most (55%) reported a gradual onset. Despite tinnitus being described as mildly to extremely annoying by 67%, only 37% had sought professional help, and only 6% had received any treatment.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0242391661&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
C2 - 12916702
AN - SCOPUS:0242391661
SN - 1499-2027
VL - 42
SP - 289
EP - 294
JO - International Journal of Audiology
JF - International Journal of Audiology
IS - 5
ER -