Evaluation of chronic idiopathic tinnitus and its psychosocial triggers

Table 1 Characteristics of tinnitus in the studied patients, n (%)

Characteristics	Patients, n = 230	Compensated tinnitus, n = 53	Decompensated tinnitus, n = 177	P value
Duration of tinnitus in mo	6-24 (11.5 ± 2.5)	10.6 ± 2.2	14.3 ± 2.3	0.03
≥ 6 to ≤ 12	55 (23.9)	8 (15.1)	47 (26.6)
> 12 to ≤ 18	127 (55.2)	7 (13.2)	120 (67.8)
> 18	48 (20.9)	38 (71.7)	10 (5.7)
Origin of sound
Ear	147 (63.9)	38 (71.7)	109 (61.6)
Ear and head	83 (36.1)	15 (28.3)	68 (38.4)
Description
Ringing	32 (14)	14 (26.4)	18 (10.2)
Whistling	76 (33)	14 (26.4)	62 (35)
Roaring	34 (14.8)	13 (24.5)	21 (11.9)
Clicking	17 (7.4)	0	17 (9.6)
Sound echo	9 (4)	0	9 (5.1)
Different descriptions	62 (27)	12 (22.6)	50 (28.3)
Laterality
Unilateral, either right or left	63 (27.4)	3 (5.7)	60 (33.9)
Bilateral	132 (57.4)	38 (71.7)	94 (53.1)
Equal intensity	98 (43.6)	30 (56.6)	68 (38.4)
Unequal intensity	34 (14.8)	8 (15.1)	26 (14.7)
Alternating	35 (15.2)	12 (22.6)	23 (13)
Pattern
Continuous	120 (52.2)	28 (42.8)	92 (52)
Periodic	110 (47.8)	25 (47.2)	85 (48)
Time of occurrence
In silence, e.g., at bed time	140 (60.8)	25 (47.2)	115 (65)
In presence of noise or silence	90 (39.1)	28 (42.8)	62 (35)

Significance: Compensated vs decompensated tinnitus.