Tinnitus Prevalence — USA and Canada

[Greg Sacramento]

Tinnitus is twice as common in the Southern US than in the North - North East. There are more health conditions in the Southern US, but there's got be other reasons. Noise levels and Lyme between North and South are considered the same. Hidden infections are higher in the South. Any thoughts?

 

[kelpiemsp]

Actually there is a huge discrepancy between north and south US for Lyme. The north has on average a much higher quality of life, less comorbid diseases. For example obesity, smoking, diabetes, lower income are all more prevalent in the southern US and all are risk factors for T. STDs are higher in the south, the south has lower access to health care. It all adds up I think. And there is a cultural component too. I think northerners, atleast the ones I know, would never admit discomfort no matter how bad. Thus I think T is also under reported in the north.

 

[Greg Sacramento]

I had worded Lyme exposure wrong above. It's much higher in the North, but still to consider is that tinnitus is twice as high in the South. We agree on more health conditions in the South as supported by second link and other things, but is that enough to make the difference. More seek healthcare in the North so there should be more reporting. I lived in the Northeast and people where always going to the large high rated hospitals where reporting was done. At the same time maybe reporting in the South is lacking. Insurance coverage is also more of a concern in the South.

More in the North take medications for Lyme and other illness that can cause tinnitus. There's so much to consider, but I think that those in the South where the number is double for tinnitus is because they don't get proper treatment for non Lyme infections. In the first link is a Lyme map and some serious mention of Lyme in association to hearing loss and tinnitus.

https://www.tinnitusformula.com/library/lyme-disease-and-tinnitus-new-danger-new-treatment/

https://www.kff.org/disparities-pol...d-health-coverage-in-the-south-a-data-update/

 

[Frédéric]

Prevalence of Tinnitus and Associated Factors Among Asian Americans: Results From a National Sample

Objectives
A previous study demonstrated low rates of high‐frequency hearing loss and noise exposure among Asian Americans (AAs). This study examined the prevalence of tinnitus and associated factors among AAs using the first nationally representative sample of AAs.

Study Design
Cross‐sectional analysis of a national health survey.

Methods
We analyzed data from the 2011 to 2012 National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey, during which 3,669 participants aged 20 to 69 years completed questionnaires on tinnitus (AA participants, n = 530). Tinnitus was defined as bothersome ringing lasting 5 minutes or more in the past 12 months. Prevalence of any tinnitus in the past 12 months was calculated incorporating sampling weights. Logistic regression was used to examine the associations with relevant factors.

Results
The prevalence of any tinnitus was 6.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.5‐8.6) among AAs, significantly lower than the prevalence among the overall population at 16.5% (95% CI: 14.3‐18.8]. After adjusting for audiometric hearing loss and demographics, AAs were less likely to report any tinnitus than whites (odds ratio [OR] = 0.43 [95% CI: 0.24‐0.75]), blacks (OR = 0.60 [95% CI: 0.37‐0.95]), and Hispanics (OR = 0.60 [95% CI: 0.45‐0.78]). Rates of tinnitus were not different from whites or blacks once comorbidities, noise exposure, and depression were taken into account. Among AAs, reporting exposure to work‐related noise (OR = 2.92 [95% CI: 1.15‐7.41]) and having a major depressive disorder (OR = 6.45 [95% CI: 1.15‐36.12]) were significant factors associated with tinnitus in a multivariate model.

Conclusions
The prevalence of tinnitus is significantly lower among AAs in comparison to other racial groups. Noise exposure and depression were significant factors associated with tinnitus among AAs.

Source: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/lary.28535

 

[MRItechssuck]

That was an interesting study... I've seen a couple demographic studies that slightly differ.

https://www.hear-it.org/people-with-black-skin-better-protected-against-hearing-loss

"The explanation as to why darker skinned people hear better than people with white skin may lie in the cell pigment in their skin, which produces the skin-protecting melanin.

Researchers from Johns Hopkins University in the US have found that dark-skinned people are much less likely..."

Even on Tinnitus Talk... we have little demographic information as far as location, race, complexion, income levels, age, etc. I am amazed that as one of the few places to go for tinnitus answers, and the alleged amount of people with tinnitus that there aren't many more thousands enrolled here.

 

[MRItechssuck]

I think focusing on "Lyme disease," is one of a thousand factors. Without hard data... sure we can guess or surmise what is going on. I have no idea... but some thoughts...

Education levels, and income levels tend to be higher in the North. Does this correlate to more awareness about tinnitus or preventing it by wearing protection?
There are more unionized factory/manufacturing groups in the North and more Right to Work States in the South... maybe OSHA regulations and union contracts are more enforced in the North?

More hunting in the South, more guns (more noise makers)... income levels... maybe people have larger issues to worry about... like if they will eat that day, versus a noise in their head?
Who really knows?

No offense to anyone, but some studies point to pigmentation in the skin as the study I posted above. In general there is a higher pigmentation level in the South/southern border states, but these demographics are constantly changing...

While this is an interesting subject... pontificating over this won't change my tinnitus, so there's that. :-(

 

[Frédéric]

This thread could be renamed "prevalence of tinnitus in different countries".

The prevalence of tinnitus in China: a systematic review of the literature

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to identify reports of the prevalence of tinnitus in China and to present these findings in a review format.

Method: We assessed and collated published prevalence estimates of tinnitus and tinnitus severity, creating a narrative synthesis of the data from publications identified from a combination of Chinese and English language databases.

Results: A total of 23 studies were included. Tinnitus prevalence ranged from 4.3% - 51.33% but varied with age and gender. The highest increase in prevalence from previous decade in age occurs during the fifth and sixth decades, and the highest prevalence was in the seventh decade at 32.47%. There is also evidence that tinnitus prevalence is related to certain risk factors including comorbid disorders.

Conclusions: The prevalence of tinnitus in mainland China in this study is consistent with global data. With increasing awareness of the prevalence of tinnitus in China, the development of epidemiological standards is a priority.

Source: https://nottingham-repository.workt...n-china-a-systematic-review-of-the-literature