Prevalence and Correlates for Tinnitus among Elderly Subjects: A Community Study

Aims: To determine the prevalence, and explore clinical correlates for tinnitus among elderly subjects.

Study Design: Cross sectional community-based analytical study.

Place and Duration of Study: Study was conducted in Sagamu community for a period of six weeks between 1st April and 18th May, 2015.

Methodology: Consenting elderly subject (aged ≥ 60 years), who lived in the communities for a minimum of five years continuously were selected by multistage stratified sampling technique. Estimated sample size was 216 subjects. Interviewer administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on socio-demographic, otological and other systemic diseases parameters. The main outcome measure was Tinnitus present or absent. The data obtained was subjected to descriptive, uni and multivariate logistic regression analyses, LRA.

Results: 212 elderly subjects completed the study. Prevalence of tinnitus according to socio-demographic characters revealed significant differences between age groups (p= 0.016), sex (p=0.010), level of education (p=0.005) and family settings (p=0.001). Univariate analyses revealed significant differences in previous ear discharge (p=0.019), previous ear syringing (p<0.001), previous loss of consciousness (p=0.004), observed hearing loss (p<0.001), confirmed hearing loss (p<0.001), exposure to noise (p<0.001), tendency to depression (p<0.001), and osteoarthritis of knee joint (p=0.045). Multivariate adjusted LRA confirmed previous ear syringing for wax impaction OR=6.863, 95% CI, 1.043-45.149 (p=0.045), observed hearing loss OR= 2.755, 95% CI, 1.116-6.800 (p=0.028), exposure to noise OR=50.213, 95% CI=5.358-70.542 (p=0.001) and tendency to depression OR=2.600, 95% CI, 1.000-6.759, (p=0.049) as clinical correlates for tinnitus among elderly subjects.

Conclusions: There is high prevalence of tinnitus, with clinical correlates being otological and audiological parameters. Noise regulation and need for proper care for elderly at the community level were emphasized.