Table 3.

Comparison of tinnitus characteristics between groups with persisting and remitting tinnitus.

Tinnitus characteristics at T1	Persisting tinnitus (N = 41)	Remitting (N = 5) or fluctuating (N = 1) tinnitus
Days between onset and T1
Mean ± SD	14.9 ± 8.5	7.7 ± 10.7
Range	1–28	2–29
Sudden onset	30 (73.2%)	3 (50%)
Subtle onset	11 (26.3%)	3 (50%)
Onset
Associated with hearing loss (HL)	7 (17.1%)	3 (50%)
Not associated with HL	34 (82.9%)	3 (50%)
Permanent	28 (68.3%)	4 (66.7%)
Intermittent	13 (31.7%)	2 (33.3%)
Localization
Right ear	10 (24.4%)	4 (66.7%)
Left ear	16 (39.0%)	1 (16.7%)
Both ears	10 (24.4%)	1 (16.7%)
Within head	5 (12.2%)	1 (16.7%)a
Change in perceived loudness between onset and T1
None	28 (68.3%)	2 (33.3%)
Less loud	4 (9.8%)	4 (66.7%)
Louder	7 (17.1%)	0
No statement	2 (4.9%)
Change in tinnitus-related distress between onset and T1
None	19 (46.3%)	2 (33.3%)
Less distressing	3 (7.3%)	1 (16.7%)
More distressing	11 (26.8%)
No statement	8 (19.5%)	3 (50%)

Differences between these groups exist for localization of the tinnitus, a higher frequency of sudden onset, a higher percentage with no change or increasing loudness and distress between onset and T1.

^aSame participant that experienced tinnitus on both ears.