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ORIGINAL ARTICLE
ANXIETY IN PATIENTS WITH HYPERACUSIS AND TINNITUS: DIFFERENCES BETWEEN WOMEN AND MEN
1
Teleaudiology and Screening Department, World Hearing Center, Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing, Warsaw/Kajetany, Poland
2
Tinnitus Department, World Hearing Center, Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing, Warsaw/Kajetany, Poland
3
Institute of Sensory Organs, Kajetany, Poland
4
Oto-Rhino-Laryngology Surgery Clinic, World Hearing Center, Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing, Warsaw/Kajetany, Poland
A - Research concept and design; B - Collection and/or assembly of data; C - Data analysis and interpretation; D - Writing the article; E - Critical revision of the article; F - Final approval of article;
Submission date: 2024-12-30
Final revision date: 2025-07-03
Acceptance date: 2025-07-30
Online publication date: 2025-12-19
Publication date: 2025-12-19
Corresponding author
Elżbieta Gos
Department of Teleaudiology and Screening, World Hearing Center, Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing, Mokra 17, Nadarzyn, 05-830 Kajetany, Poland
Department of Teleaudiology and Screening, World Hearing Center, Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing, Mokra 17, Nadarzyn, 05-830 Kajetany, Poland
J Hear Sci 2025;1(SPECIAL ISSUE ON MISOPHONIA AND HYPERACUSIS 1):33-41
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Hyperacusis is a specific auditory disorder characterized by an increased sensitivity to sounds, which is often accompanied by a significant psychological component. Some studies suggest that individuals with hyperacusis exhibit greater anxiety compared to the general population. However, it remains unclear whether gender affects the relationship between hyperacusis and anxiety. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the role of gender in the interplay between hyperacusis, tinnitus, and anxiety.
Material and methods:
The study group consisted of 106 patients with hyperacusis and tinnitus. There were 55 women and 51 men. The women were aged between 20 and 72 years (M = 44.9; SD = 12.8); the men were aged between 19 and 72 years (M = 45.4; SD = 12.0). A clinical interview, an audiological examination, and three questionnaires – State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Hyperacusis Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), and Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) – were applied.
Results:
The levels of anxiety in women and men were similar, but exceeded normative values established for the general population. In women, hyperacusis was not a significant predictor of anxiety (β = 0.13, p = 0.34), whereas tinnitus severity was (β = 0.47, p = 0.002). In men, both hyperacusis (β = 0.36, p = 0.004) and tinnitus severity (β = 0.48, p < 0.001) significantly predicted anxiety.
Conclusions:
This study highlights the complex interplay between gender, hyperacusis, tinnitus, and anxiety. The findings suggest that interventions for subjects with hyperacusis and tinnitus should be gender-specific.
Hyperacusis is a specific auditory disorder characterized by an increased sensitivity to sounds, which is often accompanied by a significant psychological component. Some studies suggest that individuals with hyperacusis exhibit greater anxiety compared to the general population. However, it remains unclear whether gender affects the relationship between hyperacusis and anxiety. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the role of gender in the interplay between hyperacusis, tinnitus, and anxiety.
Material and methods:
The study group consisted of 106 patients with hyperacusis and tinnitus. There were 55 women and 51 men. The women were aged between 20 and 72 years (M = 44.9; SD = 12.8); the men were aged between 19 and 72 years (M = 45.4; SD = 12.0). A clinical interview, an audiological examination, and three questionnaires – State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Hyperacusis Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), and Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) – were applied.
Results:
The levels of anxiety in women and men were similar, but exceeded normative values established for the general population. In women, hyperacusis was not a significant predictor of anxiety (β = 0.13, p = 0.34), whereas tinnitus severity was (β = 0.47, p = 0.002). In men, both hyperacusis (β = 0.36, p = 0.004) and tinnitus severity (β = 0.48, p < 0.001) significantly predicted anxiety.
Conclusions:
This study highlights the complex interplay between gender, hyperacusis, tinnitus, and anxiety. The findings suggest that interventions for subjects with hyperacusis and tinnitus should be gender-specific.
FUNDING
This research and article did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
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