연령에 따른 이명 특성의 변화

초록

Background and Objectives Tinnitus research faces challenges due to the variability of patient profiles. This study examines age-related differences in the characteristics and associ- ated factors of tinnitus in a large patient cohort. Subjects and Method From January 2019 to March 2021, 439 tinnitus patients (596 affect- ed ears) were assessed. Evaluations included pure tone audiometry, psychoacoustic testing, the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores. Surveys also captured data on initial noise exposure, stress, fatigue, emotional shock, and accident/injury at tinnitus onset. We also assessed comorbidities such as hyperacusis, headaches, dizziness, neck/jaw pain, and psychiatric symptoms. Patients were grouped into young (≤30 years), mid- dle-aged (31-49 years), and elderly (≥50 years) categories. Results Although tinnitus severity indicated by VAS annoyance and THI scores did not vary significantly with age, matched loudness (dB SL) was notably higher in the young and middle-aged groups compared to the elderly. Additionally, tinnitus awareness time was signif- icantly longer in the elderly group. Stress and fatigue were common tinnitus triggers across all ages, yet loud noise exposure was significantly more frequent among young patients. Comor- bid conditions such as hyperacusis, headache, and dizziness were more prevalent in the young and middle-aged groups, while neck/jaw pain and psychiatric symptoms did not differ signifi- cantly across age groups. Conclusion Significant age-related differences exist in tinnitus characteristics and associat- ed factors, particularly when comparing younger and older populations. These findings under- score the need for tailored, age-specific audiological assessments and treatment strategies fortinnitus patients.

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