Tinnitus and its association with mental health and health-related quality of life in an older population: A nationwide cross-sectional study

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship of tinnitus with mental health and health-related quality of life (QoL) in older people. Data source included 5,129 community-dwelling men and women ≥ 60 years old from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Tinnitus was categorized into three groups: normal, tolerable tinnitus, and annoying tinnitus. Mental health and health related QoL were assessed according to three dimensions (depressive mood, psychological distress, and suicidal ideation) and five domains (impaired mobility, impaired self-care, impaired usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression). The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of mental health and health related QOL were calculated using multiple logistic regression analyses. Annoying tinnitus was positively and independently associated with deteriorated mental health and health-related QoL, suggesting comprehensive care is needed in older people with annoying tinnitus.