To assess for longitudinal changes in the prevalence, duration, and self-perceived impact of persistent tinnitus amongst young adults (ages 18-24) in the United States.
✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
Rising tinnitus prevalence and duration in young adults warrant earlier screening and counseling in clinical practice, particularly for patients with recreational noise exposure histories.
A 15-year upward trend in tinnitus among young adults signals a growing public health burden that will expand the future patient population seeking audiological care.
- 01Longitudinal data from 2008–2023 show tinnitus prevalence trends among adults aged 18–24.
- 02Study also tracked duration of tinnitus and self-reported impact on daily life over time.
- 03Rising prevalence in young adults may reflect increased recreational noise exposure (e.g., earbuds, concerts).
- 04Self-perceived impact data adds a patient-centered dimension beyond simple prevalence counts.
- 05Published in Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology.
Tinnitus prevalence among adults aged 18–24 has changed measurably between 2008 and 2023.
studysupportedTinnitus duration and self-perceived impact among young adults have trended upward over the study period.
studypartially supported- PMID
- 42089210
- DOI
- 10.1177/00034894261449794.
- Journal
- Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology
- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 2b
- Population
- Adults aged 18–24 years
- Intervention
- Longitudinal surveillance of tinnitus prevalence, duration, and self-perceived impact
- Comparator
- Earlier time points (2008 baseline) vs. subsequent survey years through 2023
Primary outcomes
Tinnitus prevalence over time; Tinnitus duration trends; Self-perceived impact of tinnitus