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Intermittent tinnitus—an empirical description

Intermittierender Tinnitus – eine empirische Beschreibung

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Abstract

Background

Tinnitus is often classified into acute or chronic persistent forms. However, epidemiologic studies have shown that intermittent tinnitus (IT), which does not clearly belong to either category, is the most common form.

Objective

The aim of this study was to further characterize IT empirically.

Materials and methods

We conducted an exploratory cross-sectional interview study among 320 subjects with tinnitus. Sociodemographic and tinnitus characteristics, concomitant complaints, perceived triggers, and help-seeking behavior were assessed. Subjects were classified into continuous (CT), IT, or single-episode tinnitus (SET) if they had experienced tinnitus “continuously,” “temporarily time and again,” or “only once but for several days,” respectively, during the past 12 months.

Results

Of the sample, 62% reported IT, 23% SET, and 16% CT. Mean time since onset was 36 (CT), 28 (IT), and 19 months (SET), respectively. Most subjects with IT experienced episodes lasting a few days, whereas in 25%, episodes lasted 1–4 weeks. Mean duration was 1.6 weeks. The frequency of IT episodes ranged from every few days to half-yearly; mean frequency was every 7 weeks. Leading triggers were occupational and private stress. Asthenia, depression, social isolation, psychiatric disorders, and inner ear disorders were more prevalent among CT than IT subjects. Help-seeking behavior was comparable between CT and IT.

Conclusion

IT is associated with emotional reactions and situational impairment severe enough to trigger multiple treatment attempts, but usually does not result in severe impairment. Inner ear disorders and psychological changes are less frequent than in CT; therefore, treatment response and prognosis might be better. We suggest classification of tinnitus into acute single-episode (<3 months), intermittent, or chronic persistent (>3 months) forms.

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Funding

This research was funded by Dr. Willmar Schwabe GmbH & Co. KG, Karlsruhe, Germany.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dr. Willmar Schwabe GmbH & Co. KG, Bunsenstr. 6–10, 76275, Ettlingen, Germany

    M. Burkart

  2. Tinnituszentrum, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Luisenstr. 13, 10117, Berlin, Germany

    P. Brueggemann &  B. Mazurek

  3. HNO Forschungslabor, Klinik für Hals‑, Nasen‑, Ohrenheilkunde, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany

    A. J. Szczepek

  4. ISM Global Dynamics GmbH, Bad Homburg, Germany

    D. Frank

Authors
  1. M. Burkart
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  2. P. Brueggemann
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  3. A. J. Szczepek
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  4. D. Frank
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  5. B. Mazurek
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to B. Mazurek.

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Conflict of interest

B. Mazurek is director and M. Burkart, P. Brueggemann, and A.J. Szczepek are full-time employees of organizations offering tinnitus treatments. D. Frank is managing director of ISM Global Dynamics, the organization conducting the study.

The study was conducted in accordance with the International Code on Market and Social Research of the International Chamber of Commerce/European Society for Opinion and Market Research and current BVM (Berufsverband Deutscher Markt- und Sozialforscher e. V.) guidelines. All respondents gave their consent.

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Burkart, M., Brueggemann, P., Szczepek, A.J. et al. Intermittent tinnitus—an empirical description. HNO 67 (Suppl 2), 51–58 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00106-019-0623-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00106-019-0623-9

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