A detailed investigation of low-frequency-noise complaints

Audiology and Neuro-otology, 2007

paratively low. It is concluded that the coexistence of tinnitus with hearing loss, vertigo/dizziness and hyperacusis as complicating otological conditions seems to be of clinical relevance for the prediction of high annoyance levels. Tinnitus loudness and annoyance are not necessarily congruent and should be assessed separately.

Noise & health, 2004

Low frequency noise, the frequency range from about 10 Hz to 200 Hz, has been recognised as a special environmental noise problem, particularly to sensitive people in their homes. Conventional methods of assessing annoyance, typically based on A-weighted equivalent level, are inadequate for low frequency noise and lead to incorrect decisions by regulatory authorities. There have been a large number of laboratory measurements of annoyance by low frequency noise, each with different spectra and levels, making comparisons difficult, but the main conclusions are that annoyance of low frequencies increases rapidly with level. Additionally the A-weighted level underestimates the effects of low frequency noises. There is a possibility of learned aversion to low frequency noise, leading to annoyance and stress which may receive unsympathetic treatment from regulatory authorities. In particular, problems of the Hum often remain unresolved. An approximate estimate is that about 2.5% of the po...

Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology, 2014

Introduction: Hyperacusis can be defined as a manifestation of an increased of central auditory pathways gain and can be considered a pre-tinnitus state. In some cases tinnitus can be caused by such increased gain. Aim: To evaluate the prevalence of hyperacusis in patients with tinnitus and its relation to the annoyance of tinnitus. Materials and methods: Retrospective study with patients from the neurotology service complaining of tinnitus in the first consultation were submitted to clinical evaluation, a questionnaire and audiological evaluation of tinnitus and hyperacusis. The degree of annoyance of tinnitus and hyperacusis was measured using a visual analog scale. Results: We analyzed medical records of 309 patients, 169 (54.7%) females and 140 (45.3%) males. The mean age was 53 years. The median degree of tinnitus annoyance was 7. Hyperacusis was present in 57 (18.4%) patients, with a median degree of 5. The degree of annoyance due to tinnitus patients with hyperacusis was similar to that of patients without hyperacusis. Conclusion: Hyperacusis was present in 18.4% of patients with tinnitus. The degree of annoyance due to tinnitus had no correlation with the presence of hyperacusis.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2010

Tinnitus disturbs lives and negatively affects the quality of life of about 2% of the adult world population. Research has shown that the main cause of tinnitus is hearing loss. To analyze a possible association of the degree of hearing loss with the severity of tinnitus, we have performed a retrospective study using admission data on 531 patients suffering from chronic tinnitus. We have found that 83% of our tinnitus patients had a high frequency hearing loss corresponding to a noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). There was a significant correlation between the mean hearing loss and the tinnitus loudness (p < 0.0001). Interestingly, patients suffering from decompensated chronic tinnitus had a greater degree of hearing loss than the patients with compensated form of tinnitus. In addition, we demonstrate that the degree of hearing loss positively correlates with the two subscales ("intrusiveness" and "auditory perceptional difficulties") of the Tinnitus Questionnaire. Our retrospective study provides indirect evidence supporting the hypothesis that the degree of noise-induced hearing loss influences the severity of tinnitus.

Cureus, 2022

Background Tinnitus is a common complaint in the general population. Subjective tinnitus is defined as a conscious perception of sound with nonexistent external stimuli. Its exact pathophysiology remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of noise-induced tinnitus among adults aged 15-25 years in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Study design Convenience sampling was used for participant recruitment using an online survey that was distributed online between February and April 2022. The participants performed audiometric hearing tests provided by the investigators. Hearing tests were performed at frequencies of 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000, and 8000 Hz. The test was considered normal if the achieved thresholds were 25 dB HL or less in at least four of the tested frequencies. Those with normal results were asked to fill out a survey inquiring about their demographic information, presence of tinnitus, and tinnitus functional index. Results We included 119 young adults aged 15-25 years. Regarding tinnitus prevalence, 27 (22.7%) adults reported the development of tinnitus after exposure to loud noise, 39 (32.8%) had tinnitus of unknown cause, and 53 (44.5%) had no tinnitus. Regarding the continuity of sound, it was continuous in 14.8% of noise-induced tinnitus, compared to 38.5% of the other group, with a statistical significance of (P=.037). Conclusion The current study revealed high prevalence of tinnitus, which was also suggested by the literature. Several triggers are purportedly related to the development of tinnitus. Constant exposure to loud noise is considered a significant risk factor for tinnitus. Young adults require proper education about the causes of tinnitus and other hearing abnormalities. More importantly, methods to protect and maintain their ear health.

Auris Nasus Larynx, 2003

Objective: To measure and compare different parameters of tinnitus loudness obtained via matching and to investigate their associations with self-reported severity of tinnitus. Methods: From the audiology department 18 patients with unilateral tinnitus of sensorineural origin were selected. They underwent pure-tone audiometry, and in a matching paradigm their tinnitus pitch was estimated. Loudness was assessed at tinnitus frequency and at the frequency of best hearing and both were expressed in sensation level (SL) and hearing level (HL). Moreover, minimal masking level (MML) with white noise was assessed as well as thresholds for the tinnitus tone and a comparison tone in the contralateral ear when tinnitus was masked. Results: Annoyance and grading of severity were associated with measures of loudness expressed in HL, MML, and pure-tone audiometry. Loudness in SL was not associated with self-reported severity. Tinnitus loudness, matched at the frequency of best hearing instead of the tinnitus frequency, appears to be less dependent on HL, while still being associated with distress and grading of severity. Conclusion: Severity of tinnitus is related to hearing thresholds, and loudness in SL provides little clinically useful information. #

The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 2009

The development and application of a procedure for the assessment of low frequency noise (LFN) complaints is described. The development of the assessment method included laboratory tests and field measurements, complemented with interview-based questionnaires. Environmental health departments then conducted a series of six trials with genuine 'live' LFN complaints to test the workability and usefulness of the Procedure. The Procedure includes guidance notes and a pro-forma report with step-by-step instructions. It does not provide a prescriptive indicator of nuisance but rather gives a systematic procedure to help environmental health practitioners to form their own opinion. Examples of field measurements and application of the Procedure are presented. The Procedure and examples are likely to be of particular interest to environmental health practitioners involved in the assessment of low-frequency noise complaints. [Work funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), UK].

Journal Riphah College of Rehabilitation Sciences, 2023

Conception and design, Collection and assembly of data, 2-4 Analysis and interpretation of the data, 3-4 Critical revision of the article for important intellectual content, Statistical expertise 1-4 Final approval and guarantor of the article.