• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.40-50
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• 2003

Purpose: To investigate audiometery and characteristics related to tinnitus in tinnitus patients, and to understand the relationship between the discomfort of tinnitus and the quality of life. Methods: The subjects were 110 patients with tinnitus. The data were collected using tinnitus handicap questionnaire, quality of life, and pure tone audiometry, which measured hearing level in dB and frequency in Hz matching of tinnitus. Results: Majority of tinnitus patients (75.5%~81.8%) had normal auditory sensation. but 82.7% of patients indicated that they have heard tinnitus "frequently" or "always", and the major sounds of tinnitus were "wing, wung, wang". The matching sounds of tinnitus had various range in hearing level(dB) and frequency(Hz). Tinnitus patients reported moderate levels of the discomfort of tinnitus and the quality of life, and there were negative correlation between the discomfort of tinnitus and the quality of life(r=-.314, p<.001). Conclusion: These findings suggest that special attention is needed for tinnitus patients because the physical, psychological, and social impacts of tinnitus could be decrease their quality of life. Specialized nursing intervention considering specific conditions related to tinnitus is required to solve various health problems of tinnitus patients.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.1-14
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• 2022

Background : Tinnitus is common disorder with many possible causes and a symptom of many different diseases but has no effective treatment. Most of tinnitus patients experience the disorder to a degree that their quality of life and productivity are impaired. Especially tinnitus accompanied hearing loss causes severe discomfort in patients. Objectives : 1. Through symptoms of tinnitus, we tried to find out the relationship of Heo-sil(虛實) and Zuang fu bian zheng(臟腑辨證) among tinnitus patients accompanied Hearing Loss. 2. By testing THI, we tried to evaluate the quality of life of tinnitus patients group and tried to compare the quality of life between high-narrow tone and low-wide tone tinnitus patients group. 3. In the future, this study was planned to help monitor the prognosis and determine the progress of treatment for tinnitus patients who also have hearing loss. Methods : 43 patients were recruited in this study who was ill with tinnitus accompanied hearing loss. They wrote out the questionnaire about tinnitus and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory(THI). Results : 1. In tinnitus patients, there were more men than women accompanied hearing loss. The rate of visits was higher as the age increased. 2. Most of the patients who visited the hospital had sensitive hearing loss. 3. In high-narrow tone tinnitus group, phlegm fire congesting-type are more uncomfortable than spleen-stomach weakness-type. 4. In low-wide tone tinnitus group, liver qi depression was the most uncomfortable. Conclusions : The present study suggests that tinnitus pattern may be helpful in differentiating patients with tinnitus, and the effectiveness of treatment can be predicted through differentiation. Zuang fu bian zheng(臟腑辨證) and Distinguishing between Heo(虛) and Sil(實) is expected to have positive effects on tinnitus accompanied hearing loss treatment.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2019

Self-reported difficulties in speech-in-noise (SiN) recognition are common among tinnitus patients. Whereas hearing impairment that usually co-occurs with tinnitus can explain such difficulties, recent studies suggest that tinnitus patients with normal hearing sensitivity still show decreased SiN understanding, indicating that SiN difficulties cannot be solely attributed to changes in hearing sensitivity. In fact, cognitive control, which refers to a variety of top-down processes that human beings use to complete their daily tasks, has been shown to be critical for SiN recognition, as well as the key to understand cognitive inefficiencies caused by tinnitus. In this article, we review studies investigating the association between tinnitus and cognitive control using behavioral and brain imaging assessments, as well as those examining the effect of tinnitus on SiN recognition. In addition, three factors that can affect cognitive control in tinnitus patients, including hearing sensitivity, age, and severity of tinnitus, are discussed to elucidate the association among tinnitus, cognitive control, and SiN recognition. Although a possible central or cognitive involvement has always been postulated in the observed SiN impairments in tinnitus patients, there is as yet no direct evidence to underpin this assumption, as few studies have addressed both SiN performance and cognitive control in one tinnitus cohort. Future studies should aim at incorporating SiN tests with various subjective and objective methods that evaluate cognitive performance to better understand the relationship between SiN difficulties and cognitive control in tinnitus patients.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 2015

Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine the psychiatric characteristics of outpatients with tinnitus. Methods A total of 88 subjects were included in this study. According to Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) scores, the subjects were classified into two group ; a mild tinnitus symptoms (mild-tinnitus) group and a severe tinnitus symptoms (severe-tinnitus) group. A questionnaire was used for an assessment of demographic characteristics, and the THI, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) about tinnitus, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) are applied for evaluation of other clinical psychiatric characteristics. Results Higher THI scores were positively correlated with tinnitus course, the number of accompanying symptoms, and the VAS. BDI total scores, BDI factors, and BAI total scores were significantly higher in the severe-tinnitus group than in the mild-tinnitus group. Also suicidal ideation, interpersonal problems, sleep problems, occupational impairment, and fatigue were significantly higher in the severe-tinnitus group than in the mild-tinnitus group. Conclusions Tinnitus is a common disorder of hearing which is associated frequently with psychiatric problems. This study suggests that psychiatric interventions should be taken into consideration in the treatment of patients suffering from tinnitus.

• Korean Journal of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
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• v.61 no.12
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• pp.669-673
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• 2018

Background and Objectives Tinnitus, a common complaint of workers who are exposed to noise, can cause substantial negative effects on the quality of life of these workers. The aim of this study was to analyze the characteristics of tinnitus in patients with noise-induced hearing loss and the relationship between tinnitus and the duration of noise exposure. Subjects and Method Thirty-three patients with subjective tinnitus and noise-induced hearing loss were included in this study. Tinnitus questionnaire, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and audiological examinations were investigated according to the duration of noise exposure. Results There was a significant correlation between the tinnitus loudness and the duration of noise exposure. Patients who had longer periods of noise exposure had a louder tinnitus and higher THI score. However, there is no significant correlation between the characteristics of tinnitus and aging process. Conclusion The duration of noise exposure influences the loudness and distress of tinnitus. An awareness of tinnitus should be considered as part of hearing conservation program.

• Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.242-249
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• 2018

Objectives. Smoking is associated with hearing loss, while the correlation between tinnitus and smoking is not fully elucidated. This study aimed to evaluate risk factors of tinnitus in adolescents in terms of smoking, and we identified a rectifiable parameter that can be serially monitored. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, with 2,782 participants aged 12 to 18 years, from 2008 through 2011. Participants with history of ear disease, hearing loss, and inadequate responses to questionnaires were excluded. We investigated the prevalence of tinnitus and tinnitus-related annoyance by questionnaire and sought potential risk factors in blood and urine tests and smoking history. Results. The prevalence of tinnitus in the 12- to 18-year-old population was 17.5%, with 3.3% reporting tinnitus-related annoyance. On univariate analysis, the prevalence of tinnitus increased with age (P<0.001) and was higher among girls (P=0.012). Blood tests and urinalysis showed significant correlation between tinnitus and red blood cell count, alkaline phosphatase levels, and urine cotinine (P=0.002, P<0.001, P=0.018, respectively). In multivariate analysis, the urine cotinine level was the only parameter associated with tinnitus (odds ratio, 1.000; 95% confidence interval, 0.999 to 1.000; P=0.038). Smoking was also significantly correlated with tinnitus (P=0.043), and amount of smoking with tinnitus-related annoyance (P=0.045). However, current smoking and past smoking were not correlated with tinnitus. Conclusion. Urine cotinine may be a rectifiable marker for management of tinnitus in adolescents. This suggests that smoking cessation should be incorporated in the management of tinnitus in adolescents.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.212-222
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• 2006

Backgroun : Tinnitus is common disorder with many possible causes and a symptom of many different diseases but has no effective treatment. Approximately 20% of tinnitus patients experience the disorder to a degree that their quality of lift and productivity are impaired. Objective : This study was conducted to investigate the characteristic of the tinnitus patients and the impact of tinnitus on quality of life. Methods : 103 patients un recruited in this study who was ill with tinnitus. They wrote out the queslicumaire about tinnitus and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory(THI). Result : THI score have relation to set the period of birth, the loudness of tinnitus and the items of attending symptoms. Conclusion In this study, tinnitus have influence on patients' quality of life. We expect this study to provide the base data for the effective treatment and the high qualify of patients' life.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.77-86
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• 2019

Objectives : By analyzing symptoms of tinnitus, we tried to find out the relationship between deficiency and excess(虛實) and visceral pattern identification(臟腑辨證). By testing Tinnitus Handicap Inventory(THI), we evaluated the quality of life of people suffering from various aspects of tinnitus, as well as comparing treatment efficiency. Methods : 52 patients were recruited in this study who was ill with tinnitus. They wrote out the questionnaire about tinnitus and the THI. Results : The vast majority of high-grade tiny noise patients are deficiency type(虛症). The vast majority of low-grade roar patients are excess type(實症). Tinnitus persistence and feeling of ear occlusion were prominent in low-grade roar patients. low-grade roar patients suggest that overall quality of life is lower than high-grade tiny noise patients. In terms of treatment efficiency, spleen-stomach weakness(脾胃虛弱)-type, stomach heat(胃熱)-type and phlegm-fire(痰火)-type was higher than kidney essence depletion(腎精虧損)-type and liver qi depression(肝氣鬱結)-type regardless of the aspect of tinnitus. Conclusions : The present study suggests that tinnitus pattern may be helpful in differentiating patients with tinnitus, and the effectiveness of treatment can be predicted through differentiation.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.403-407
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• 2002

The objective of this study is to establish the new evaluating method of tinnitus and to evaluate the effect of acupuncture therapy. Fourteen patients with tinnitus were studied. The patients answered the questionnaire designed to identify and describe the subjective symptoms of tinnitus and discomfort in daily life due to tinnitus. After acupuncture therapy, the survey was conducted again among the patients and we evaluated the difference between pre-acupuncture therapy and post-acupuncture therapy. 1. Precipitating factors of tinnitus among the patients group consisted of 14 members were stress, noise, drug, overwork, URI, and otitis media in order. 2. Significant improvements in subjective symptoms of tinnitus and discomfort in daily life after acupuncture therapy were identified among the patient group of 14 members 3. Patient group of 14 members were divided into 2 groups by digestion status: patients who have poor digestion and patients who have good digestion. The patients who have good digestion showed significant improvement both in subjective symptoms of tinnitus and in discomfort in daily life after acupuncture therapy. 4. Patient group of 14 members were divided Into 2 groups by urination and defecation status: patients who have poor urination and defecation and patients who have good urination and defecation. The patients who have good urination and defecation showed significant improvement both in subjective symptoms of tinnitus and in discomfort in daily life after acupuncture therapy. 5. Patient group of 14 members were divided into 2 groups by sleeping status: patients who sleep well and patients who don't sleep well. The patients who sleep well showed significant improvement both in subjective symptoms of tinnitus and in discomfort in daily life after acupuncture therapy. This study shows that the subjective symptoms of tinnitus and discomfort in daily life due to tinnitus are involved in urination and defecation factor, sleep factor, and digestion factor. This study also shows that acupuncture therapy is effective in improving the subjective symptoms of tinnitus and discomfort in daily life due to tinnitus.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.19 no.3 s.31
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• pp.158-170
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• 2006

Background : Tinnitus is a common symptom in outpatients of Otolarygology but has no correct diagnosis and effective treatment. Patients with tinnitus experienced the disorder to a degree that their quality of life and productivity are impaired. Objective : This study was conducted to investigate the change of THI score, the number of attending symptoms for the Korean medical treatment. And we investigated that the interrelationship is in existence as sex, age. Methods : Fatty patients were recruited in this study who was ill with tinnitus. They wrote out the questionnaire about tinnitus and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory(THI) before and after treatment. The Korean medical treatment include a herb remedy, acupuncture. Result : THI score changed before and after treatment remarkably, and the number of attending sysmptoms also decreased noticeably. Relativity of questionnaires before and after treatment has difference as sex and age. Conclusion : Before and after treatment, the patients's THI score change significantly. In this study, the Korean medicine has effect on patients's quality of life with tinnitus. We expect that this study inform the effect of Korean Medicine about tinnitus and THI is the good questionnaire for measureing quality of patients' life with tinnitus for Korean medical doctors.