[A cross-sectional study and risk factors analysis of tinnitus in flight support personnel of PLA air force].

Objective

The aim of this study is to understand the epidemiological characteristics of tinnitus among flight support personnel and analyze its audiological characteristics and related risk factors.

Methods

The information of tinnitus was collected by a method of cross-sectional investigation using questionnaire survey and audiology test among the flight support personnel of two stations of PLA air force.

Results

The incidence of tinnitus among 666 subjects included was 24.2%, the THI grade was mainly grade 1 and grade 2. There were differences in THI scores among groups with different working years, but only differences in tinnitus incidence among groups with different frequency of hearing loss. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that grade of high frequency hearing loss（OR=1.39）, conscious hearing loss（OR=1.79） and frequency of asking others to repeat words（OR=1.64） were independent risk factors of tinnitus. The incidence of HF-HL and EHF-HL in ears with tinnitus among 0-5 working years was higher than that without tinnitus, while the incidence of EHF-HL in ears with tinnitus was not different from that without tinnitus among 6-10 and >10 working years. There was moderate correlation between THI scores and SAS standard scores（r=0.759）, and weak correlation between THI scores and PSQI scores（r=0.445）.

Conclusion

The risk of tinnitus in high-frequency hearing loss and recessive hearing loss is increased; working years can affect the severity of tinnitus, while hearing conditions at different frequencies only affect the incidence of tinnitus; with increasing age, noise exposure plays a role in the occurrence of tinnitus decreasing gradually.