The relationship between tinnitus pitch and the audiogram

Int J Audiol. 2009 May;48(5):277-94. doi: 10.1080/14992020802581974.

Abstract

We studied the relationship between tinnitus pitch and the audiogram in 195 patients. Patients with tone-like tinnitus reported a higher pitch (mean = 5385 Hz) compared to those with a noise-like quality (mean = 3266 Hz). Those with a flat audiogram were more likely to report: a noise-like tinnitus, a unilateral tinnitus, and have a pitch < 2000 Hz. The average duration of bilateral tinnitus (12 years) was longer than that of unilateral tinnitus (5 years). Older subjects reported a less severe tinnitus handicap questionnaire score. Patients with a notched audiogram often reported a pitch <or=8000 Hz. Subjects with normal hearing up to 8000 Hz tended to have a pitch >or=8000 Hz. We failed to find a relationship between the pitch and the edge of a high frequency hearing loss. Some individuals did exhibit a pitch at the low frequency edge of a hearing loss, but we could find no similar characteristics among these subjects. It is possible that a relationship between pitch and audiogram is present only in certain subgroups.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Female
  • Functional Laterality
  • Hearing Loss
  • Hearing Tests
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Sex Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Time Factors
  • Tinnitus*