Beukes et al_ IJCP_Accepted version.pdf (715.15 kB)
Investigating tinnitus subgroups based on hearing-related difficulties
journal contribution
posted on 2021-08-02, 14:57 authored by Eldré Beukes, David Baguley, Vinaya Manchaiah, Gerhard Andersson, Peter Allen, Viktor Kaldo, Laure Jacquemin, Matheus Lourenco, Joy Onozuka, David Stockdale, David MaidmentDavid MaidmentPurpose: Meaningfully grouping individuals with tinnitus who share the common characteristics (i.e., subgrouping, phenotyping) may help tailor interventions to certain tinnitus subgroups and hence reduce outcome variability. The purpose of this study was to test if the presence of tinnitus subgroups are discernible based on hearing-related comorbidities, and to identify predictors of tinnitus severity for each subgroup identified.
Methods: An exploratory cross-sectional study was used. The study was nested within an online survey distributed worldwide to investigate tinnitus experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. The main outcome measure was the tinnitus Handicap Inventory- Screening Version.
Results: From the 3400 respondents, 2,980 were eligible adults with tinnitus with an average age of 58 years (SD= 14.7) with 50% (n= 1,457) being female. A three-cluster solution identified distinct subgroups, namely, those with tinnitus but no hearing loss (n = 1,306; 44%), those presenting with tinnitus and hyperacusis and/or misophonia (n = 795; 27%), and those with tinnitus and hearing loss (n = 879; 29%). Those with tinnitus and hyperacusis reported the highest tinnitus severity (M= 20.3; SD= 10.5) and those with tinnitus and no hearing loss had the lowest tinnitus severity (M= 15.7; SD= 10.4). Younger age and the presence of mental health problems predicted greater tinnitus severity for all groups (β≤ -.1, p≤ .016).
Conclusion: Further exploration of these potential subtypes are needed in both further research and clinical practice by initially triaging tinnitus patients prior to their clinical appointments based on the presence of hearing-related comorbidities. Unique management pathways and interventions could be tailored for each tinnitus subgroup.
Funding
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Grant Number: R21DC017214
European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme. Grant Number: 722046
History
School
- Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences
Published in
International Journal of Clinical PracticeVolume
75Issue
10Publisher
WileyVersion
- AM (Accepted Manuscript)
Rights holder
© John Wiley & Sons LtdPublisher statement
This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: BEUKES, E. ... et al, 2021. Investigating tinnitus subgroups based on hearing-related difficulties. International Journal of Clinical Practice, doi:10.1111/ijcp.14684; e14684, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/ijcp.14684. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.Acceptance date
2021-07-27Publication date
2021-08-06Copyright date
2021ISSN
1368-5031eISSN
1742-1241Publisher version
Language
- en