Risk Factors for Tinnitus in a Population of Older Adults: The Blue Mountains Hearing Study

In Brief Objective To identify potential and modifiable risk factors for tinnitus in a population of older adults. Study Design Cross-sectional study. Detailed questionnaires were interviewer-administered in a representative sample of 2015 persons aged 55+ yr, living in an area west of Sydney, Australia. Air- and bone-conduction audiometric thresholds were measured from 250 to 8000 Hz and from 500 to 4000 Hz, respectively. TEOAE and SOAE were measured for both ears. Results After adjusting for multiple variables in a Cox proportional hazards model, factors that significantly increased the risk of tinnitus were poorer hearing and cochlear function, self-reported work-related noise exposure, and history of middle ear or sinus infections, severe neck injury or migraine. Conclusion Interventions aimed at reducing age-related hearing loss, particularly by reducing excessive work-related noise exposure, and the effective, timely treatment of ear-related infections, may all decrease the risk of tinnitus. Worldwide to date, there have been relatively few epidemiological studies of tinnitus in large, older populations that have comprehensively assessed its risk factors. Even fewer have used objective measures in hearing examinations. The Blue Mountains Hearing Study (BMHS), conducted from 1997 to 1999, examined 2015 participants aged 55 years or older living in a defined area, west of Sydney, Australia, and has assessed risk factors for tinnitus. In a multivariate model, factors that significantly increased the risk of tinnitus were poorer hearing and cochlear function, self-reported work-related noise exposure, and a history of middle ear or sinus infections, severe neck injury, or migraine. It is possible that timely health interventions to reduce or limit these exposures and the development of age-related hearing loss could decrease tinnitus risk.