Objectives: This study aimed to analyse the effects of educational levels, sex, and residence on tinnitus-related distress, as well as the severity of depression and anxiety. Material and
✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
Audiologists and tinnitus clinicians should consider sociodemographic factors — particularly education level, sex, and residential setting — when assessing tinnitus-related distress and screening for comorbid depression and anxiety.
Identifying which patient groups are most vulnerable to tinnitus-related mental health burden can guide targeted counselling and referral pathways in tinnitus management.
- 01Cross-sectional study found education, sex, and urban/rural residence significantly influence tinnitus distress levels.
- 02Comorbid depression and anxiety severity also varied by these sociodemographic factors in tinnitus patients.
- 03Findings support a biopsychosocial approach to tinnitus assessment and management.
- 04Lower education and certain residential settings may be associated with higher tinnitus-related distress.
- 05Study design is cross-sectional, so causal relationships cannot be established.
Education level significantly impacts tinnitus-related distress and comorbid depression and anxiety severity.
studypartially supportedSex and place of residence are associated with differences in tinnitus distress and mental health comorbidities.
studypartially supported- PMID
- 42201132
- DOI
- 10.3390/audiolres16030078.
- Journal
- Audiology Research
- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 3
- Population
- Adults with tinnitus, stratified by education level, sex, and urban/rural residence
- Intervention
- Cross-sectional analysis of sociodemographic variables (education, sex, residence)
Primary outcomes
Tinnitus-related distress scores; Severity of comorbid depression; Severity of comorbid anxiety