Table 3.
Distribution of tinnitus characteristics and questionnaire scores in the LOW-RISK and HIGH-RISK groups. A significantly higher number of patients in the HIGH-RISK group had bilateral tinnitus, followed by unilateral tinnitus in the left ear. “Buzzing” and “high-pitched” tinnitus sounds were more common among HIGH-RISK individuals; “whistle” was more common among individuals in the LOW-RISK group. Patients in the HIGH-RISK group scored significantly worse for the Hearing Handicap Inventory (HHI) questionnaire compared to individuals in the LOW-RISK group; no significant differences were seen for the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and the Hyperacusis Questionnaire (HQ).
| Tinnitus Characteristics and Questionnaire Scores | LOW-RISK | HIGH-RISK | p-Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tinnitus side (freq. (%)) | |||
| Left | 19 (27.9) | 18 (26.5) | 0.05 |
| Right | 13 (19.1) | 4 (5.9) | |
| Bilateral | 36 (52.9) | 46 (67.6) | |
| Tinnitus Sound (freq. (%)) | |||
| Buzzing | 11 (16.2) | 19 (27.9) | 0.06 |
| High-pitched | 9 (13.2) | 17 (25.0) | |
| Low-pitched | 7 (10.3) | 8 (11.8) | |
| Other | 12 (17.6) | 7 (10.3) | |
| Whistle | 29 (42.6) | 17 (25.0) | |
| Questionnaire scores (mean (SD)) | |||
| THI | 30.6 (18.1) | 33.1 (18.8) | 0.22 |
| HHI | 9.4 (13.4) | 18.8 (20.3) | <0.001 |
| HQ | 11.8 (7.9) | 13.4 (8.3) | 0.12 |