Effects of Composite Air Pollution and Genetic Susceptibility on Tinnitus Risk: A Large Population-Based Study

Tinnitus, affecting 10% to 15% of the global population, is a debilitating condition often linked to hearing loss and neurological disorders. While air pollution is a known risk factor for respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, its association with tinnitus remains underexplored.ObjectiveThis study investigates the association between air pollution, polygenic risk score (PRS), and tinnitus...

No immediate change to clinical practice is warranted, but audiologists should be aware that air pollution exposure is emerging as an environmental risk factor for tinnitus, which may inform patient history-taking.

Demonstrating a gene–environment interaction for tinnitus risk elevates air quality from a background concern to a potential modifiable risk factor, with implications for public health policy and preventive audiology.

1. 01Composite air pollution exposure was associated with increased tinnitus risk in a large population cohort.
2. 02Genetic susceptibility independently and additively modulated tinnitus risk alongside pollution exposure.
3. 03A gene–environment interaction was identified, suggesting some individuals are disproportionately vulnerable.
4. 04Study design was population-based, providing broad generalisability but limiting causal inference.
5. 05Findings add environmental pollution to the growing list of potentially modifiable tinnitus risk factors.

PMID

42077052

DOI

10.1177/19160216261442718.

Journal

Journal of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery

Publication type

research_article

Evidence level

2b

Population

General adult population in a large epidemiological cohort

Intervention

Composite air pollution exposure and genetic susceptibility assessment

Comparator

Participants with lower air pollution exposure and/or lower genetic risk