Tinnitus in immigrants attending Swedish language education classes.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of tinnitus in immigrants attending Swedish language education classes in comparison with data from the general population and tinnitus's relation to hearing in this specific population.

METHODS

The study was based on prospectively collected data regarding hearing and health status in newcomers attending language classes. The examination consisted of pure tone audiometry, an otoscopic examination, and a study-specific questionnaire including questions from the Swedish National Health Survey. Data from the Swedish general population were retrieved from the National Health Survey. Grading of hearing according to the World Health Organization was applied.

RESULTS

A total of 188 study participants were included in the study. Tinnitus was reported by 38% of the immigrants, and severe tinnitus was reported by 8%. Corresponding percentages from the general population were 17% and 3%. High-frequency hearing loss (PTAh3 > 25 worse ear) was found to be a significant predictor for tinnitus (p = 0.032, odds ratio (OR): 2.74 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.40-5.35]). Additionally, self-reported general health significantly predicted tinnitus, with an increased risk of tinnitus relating to worse general health (p < .001, OR: 2.43 [95% CI: 1.66-3.57]).

CONCLUSION

Severe tinnitus was more than three times as common in the immigrant participants compared to the Swedish population. High-frequency hearing loss and self-reported worse general health were predictors for tinnitus.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1b.