Correlation Between the Pitch and Loudness of Tinnitus, Hearing Levels, and Tinnitus Handicap Inventory Scores in Patients with Chronic Subjective Tinnitus.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between tinnitus pitch and loudness, the frequency of hearing loss, hearing level, and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) scores reported by patients. In total, 139 patients (50 men and 89 women; mean age ± SD, 60.19 ± 11.47 years) who suffered from chronic primary tinnitus associated with sensorineural hearing loss were included in the study. Participants underwent pure-tone audiometry and tinnitus pitch matching assessments. Additionally, all participants completed the Hungarian version of the THI questionnaire. Correlations were assessed using simple linear, Spearman's, and Pearson's correlation tests, and a linear regression model was applied. The Mann-Whitney test was also used. This study identified a significant correlation between the pitch of tinnitus and the frequency of hearing loss ( = 0.000 *; rho = 0.549). There was also a significant correlation between tinnitus noise and hearing levels ( = 0.000 *; rho = 0.375). Age was shown to significantly affect tinnitus loudness ( = 0.016 *) and hearing levels ( = 0.000 *) as determined by a linear regression model. Tinnitus duration only significantly influenced tinnitus loudness ( = 0.022). There was no significant effect of sex on tinnitus or audiometry parameters. Total THI scores were influenced solely by tinnitus loudness ( = 0.021 *). Furthermore, sex did have an effect on total THI scores, with women reporting higher scores ( = 0.000 *). This study concluded that there is a significant correlation between the pitch and loudness of tinnitus and hearing levels, suggesting a connection in their underlying mechanisms. The intensity of tinnitus and hearing level are primarily affected by ageing processes. Furthermore, the severity of self-perceived tinnitus is mainly related to the loudness of tinnitus.