Longitudinal analysis of the risk factors for onset and change in tinnitus in the Busselton Healthy Ageing Study

Introduction: Effective prevention and intervention strategies for tinnitus rely on identifying risk factors and understanding its progression over time. However, longitudinal data on these aspects are limited. This study therefore aimed to (1) assess the incidence of tinnitus and identify risk factors associated with tinnitus development, and (2) assess the impact of tinnitus and change in impact over time and identify factors associated with this change. Methods: Data from the Busselton Healthy Ageing Study, a population-based cohort of individuals born between 1946–1964, were used. Information on tinnitus presence and impact, general health, ear-related health and mental health was collected from 3863 participants through questionnaires and physical measurements at two time points with a six-year interval. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine risk factors for tinnitus development. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to examine factors associated with changes in impact. Results: The 6-year incidence of tinnitus was 12.1%. Statistically significant risk factors for developing tinnitus included male gender, higher BMI, larger waist circumference, fair subjective health, hearing loss, occupational noise exposure with occasional use of hearing protection, hyperacusis, migraine, and diagnosed anxiety disorder. Among participants with pre-existing tinnitus, 21.4% reported an increase in tinnitus impact over time, while 16.5% experienced a decrease. Changes in impact were influenced by general health and ear-related health factors. Conclusion: The high incidence of tinnitus and its notable impact on daily life emphasize the importance of gaining a better understanding of the broad range of identified risk factors for developing tinnitus and change in impact. The multifaceted nature of these factors, comprising hearing-related issues, general health conditions and psychological aspects, underscore the complexity of tinnitus etiology and impact. By gaining more insight into these factors, we can inform future research efforts aimed at developing targeted prevention and intervention strategies tailored to specific demographic groups.