Prevalence and Perception of Tinnitus Among Young Adults
Citation
Musselman, M. (2017) Prevalence and Perception of Tinnitus Among Young Adults, no. 134.
Abstract
The research objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of tinnitus
in the young adult population, to compare and contrast differences between peoples'
tinnitus, and to investigate the individual perceptions and attitudes.
The young adult population sample included people between the ages of 18-30
years. Data was collected using a self-completed, online questionnaire. The survey was
advertised on the Queen Margaret University Research Recruitment Digest, on Facebook,
and by the British Tinnitus Association (BTA).
Of the 189 participants, 67.7% (128 participants) have experienced tinnitus
before. Descriptive statistics were used to define, characterise and highlight the diversity
of the sample population in terms of age, gender, nationality, ethnicity, and self perceived
hearing levels. Tinnitus perceptions relating to localisation, frequency of occurrence,
nature of the sounds, and intensity were investigated. Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI)
scores were calculated and the frequency distribution exhibited a positively skewed
histogram. SPSS software was used to perform the Kruskal-Wallis test, which evidenced
no significant differences between THI scores and age. Finally, open-ended questions in
the survey were analysed qualitatively using a phenomenological data analysis method.
The following themes were prominent among participants' transcripts: Uncertainty,
attention related to disability, and acceptance.
In conclusion tinnitus was determined to be a highly prevalent condition among
young adults. Although widespread, it is experienced uniquely between individuals in
terms of auditory characteristics, psychological effects and personal reactions. The results
from the study can be applied to the improvement of clinical practice and raising public
awareness about tinnitus, particularly in the young adult generation.