Prevalence and risk factors of tinnitus: the K orean N ational H ealth and N utrition E xamination Survey 2010–2011, a cross‐sectional study

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the association between tinnitus and several potential risk factors in Korean population. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTING: Based on data from the fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. PARTICIPANTS: The study included 10,061 Korean individuals. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Tinnitus was assessed by using a questionnaire, and otorhinolaryngologic examination was conducted. Risk factors associated with tinnitus were evaluated using a multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Of the 10,061 participants ranging from 20 to 97 years old, the overall prevalence of any tinnitus was 21.4% and annoying tinnitus was 7.3%. In a multivariable logistic regression model, the following factors were associated with having tinnitus: occupational noise exposure [any tinnitus, odd ratio (OR) = 1.34; annoying tinnitus, OR = 1.47], non-occupational noise exposure (any tinnitus, OR = 1.48; annoying tinnitus, OR = 2.02), hearing impairment (any tinnitus, OR = 2.27; annoying tinnitus, OR = 3.61), chronic otitis media (any tinnitus, OR = 1.53; annoying tinnitus, OR = 1.36), chronic rhinosinusitis (any tinnitus, OR = 1.38; annoying tinnitus, OR = 1.38), temporomandibular disorder (any tinnitus, OR = 1.69; annoying tinnitus, OR = 1.90), depression (any tinnitus, OR = 1.44; annoying tinnitus, OR = 1.70), and higher stress level (any tinnitus, OR = 1.28; annoying tinnitus, OR = 1.76). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that tinnitus is common in Korea and may be associated with some avoidable risk factors.