Abstract

Background: Tinnitus is a continuous or intermittent perception of sound or noises in the ears or head without an external source. This inability to experience silence is a common condition that reduces the quality of life (QOL). Despite its global impact, the Saudi population remains unexplored in this regard. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the severity of tinnitus and its impact on QOL among the general population in Saudi Arabia.
Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized an online Arabic questionnaire distributed via social media platforms. Participants aged 18 and older with tinnitus were included, while those who were unable to provide informed consent were excluded. Tinnitus severity was measured using the tinnitus handicap inventory, and QOL was evaluated with a modified SF-8TM questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 23.0.
Results: A total of 388 valid responses were analyzed in total, with a final response rate of 86.2%. Most of the participants were female (64.2%) and aged 18-25 (56.6%). A strong positive correlation was found between tinnitus severity and reduced QOL (r = 0.819, p < 0.001). Significant differences in tinnitus severity and QOL were observed across gender and age groups, particularly in females over 65 years and males aged 26-45.
Conclusion: This study revealed a significant association between tinnitus severity and reduced QOL, with significant variations across age and gender. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions for specific age groups and genders to improve the QOL of individuals with tinnitus.

Key words: Hearing loss, tinnitus severity, tinnitus handicap inventory, quality of life, tinnitus