Tinnitus and its risk factors in the Beaver Dam Offspring Study

Objective: To assess the prevalence of tinnitus along with factors potentially associated with having tinnitus. Design: Data were from the Beaver Dam Offspring Study, an epidemiological cohort study of aging. Study Sample: After a personal interview and audiometric examination, participants (n == 3267, ages 21--84 years) were classified as having tinnitus if in the past year they reported having tinnitus of at least moderate severity or that caused difficulty in falling asleep. Results: The prevalence of tinnitus was 10.6%. In a multivariable logistic regression model adjusting for age and sex, the following factors were associated with having tinnitus: hearing impairment (Odds Ratio (OR) == 3.20), currently having a loud job (OR == 1.90), history of head injury (OR == 1.84), depressive symptoms (OR == 1.82), history of ear infection (men, OR == 1.75), history of target shooting (OR == 1.56), arthritis (OR == 1.46), and use of NSAID medications (OR == 1.33). For women, ever drinking alcohol in the past year was associated with a decreased risk of having tinnitus (OR == 0.56). Conclusions: These results suggest that tinnitus is a common symptom in this cohort and may be associated with some modifiable risk factors.