• Korean Journal of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
• /
• v.61 no.12
• /
• pp.669-673
• /
• 2018

Background and Objectives Tinnitus, a common complaint of workers who are exposed to noise, can cause substantial negative effects on the quality of life of these workers. The aim of this study was to analyze the characteristics of tinnitus in patients with noise-induced hearing loss and the relationship between tinnitus and the duration of noise exposure. Subjects and Method Thirty-three patients with subjective tinnitus and noise-induced hearing loss were included in this study. Tinnitus questionnaire, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and audiological examinations were investigated according to the duration of noise exposure. Results There was a significant correlation between the tinnitus loudness and the duration of noise exposure. Patients who had longer periods of noise exposure had a louder tinnitus and higher THI score. However, there is no significant correlation between the characteristics of tinnitus and aging process. Conclusion The duration of noise exposure influences the loudness and distress of tinnitus. An awareness of tinnitus should be considered as part of hearing conservation program.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.23-31
• /
• 2021

Objective The case report showed that sudden hearing loss and tinnitus after trigeminal schwannoma surgery were improved with Yeoldahansotang-gamibang. Method The patient was diagnosed with Taeeumin interior heat (Ganyeol) disease based on the original symptoms of Taeeumin. He was treated with herbal medicine and acupuncture treatment. Puretone audiometry (PTA), speech audiometry, tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) and the original symptoms were investigated before and after the treatment. Results Right side PTA score was significantly reduced, speech audiometry was improved in speech reception threshold (SRT), word recognition score (WRS) and most comfortable level (MCL) and THI score decreased from 40 to 0, which showed normalizing hearing function. And the patient revealed improvements in sleeping, digestion, stooling, perspiration and facial sensation after treatment. Conclusion This study suggests that Yeoldahansotang-gamibang is effective on sudden hearing loss and tinnitus after surgery by correcting the imbalanced energy of Taeeumin.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.1-14
• /
• 2022

Background : Tinnitus is common disorder with many possible causes and a symptom of many different diseases but has no effective treatment. Most of tinnitus patients experience the disorder to a degree that their quality of life and productivity are impaired. Especially tinnitus accompanied hearing loss causes severe discomfort in patients. Objectives : 1. Through symptoms of tinnitus, we tried to find out the relationship of Heo-sil(虛實) and Zuang fu bian zheng(臟腑辨證) among tinnitus patients accompanied Hearing Loss. 2. By testing THI, we tried to evaluate the quality of life of tinnitus patients group and tried to compare the quality of life between high-narrow tone and low-wide tone tinnitus patients group. 3. In the future, this study was planned to help monitor the prognosis and determine the progress of treatment for tinnitus patients who also have hearing loss. Methods : 43 patients were recruited in this study who was ill with tinnitus accompanied hearing loss. They wrote out the questionnaire about tinnitus and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory(THI). Results : 1. In tinnitus patients, there were more men than women accompanied hearing loss. The rate of visits was higher as the age increased. 2. Most of the patients who visited the hospital had sensitive hearing loss. 3. In high-narrow tone tinnitus group, phlegm fire congesting-type are more uncomfortable than spleen-stomach weakness-type. 4. In low-wide tone tinnitus group, liver qi depression was the most uncomfortable. Conclusions : The present study suggests that tinnitus pattern may be helpful in differentiating patients with tinnitus, and the effectiveness of treatment can be predicted through differentiation. Zuang fu bian zheng(臟腑辨證) and Distinguishing between Heo(虛) and Sil(實) is expected to have positive effects on tinnitus accompanied hearing loss treatment.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.7-13
• /
• 2015

Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine the psychiatric characteristics of outpatients with tinnitus. Methods A total of 88 subjects were included in this study. According to Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) scores, the subjects were classified into two group ; a mild tinnitus symptoms (mild-tinnitus) group and a severe tinnitus symptoms (severe-tinnitus) group. A questionnaire was used for an assessment of demographic characteristics, and the THI, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) about tinnitus, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) are applied for evaluation of other clinical psychiatric characteristics. Results Higher THI scores were positively correlated with tinnitus course, the number of accompanying symptoms, and the VAS. BDI total scores, BDI factors, and BAI total scores were significantly higher in the severe-tinnitus group than in the mild-tinnitus group. Also suicidal ideation, interpersonal problems, sleep problems, occupational impairment, and fatigue were significantly higher in the severe-tinnitus group than in the mild-tinnitus group. Conclusions Tinnitus is a common disorder of hearing which is associated frequently with psychiatric problems. This study suggests that psychiatric interventions should be taken into consideration in the treatment of patients suffering from tinnitus.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.172-180
• /
• 2022

Objectives : This study reports a 61-year-old man with sudden hearing loss and tinnitus whose symptoms improved remarkably after treatment with Korean medicine. Methods : The patient was treated with herbal medicine(gamisoyo-san, samul-tang gagambang, gongjindan, and yukmijihwang-hwan), acupuncture and moxibustion. Puretone audiometry(PTA), speech audiometry(SA), Korean tinnitus handicap inventory(K-THI), patient self-report, numeric rating scale(NRS) 11, and review of system(ROS) were performed. Results : After a month of treatment, PTA was improved from profound to mild and audiometric findings were improved in speech reception threshold and word recognition score. After 2 months of treatment, K-THI decreased from 92 to 28 and NRS 11 score decreased more than 6 in every item. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that Korean medicine could be effective sudden hearing loss and tinnitus.