Adolescent Tinnitus Linked to Age, Vitamin D Deficiency, and Anemia: Implications for Treatment Strategies

The findings, published in Clinical Otolaryngology, have highlighted the importance of considering vitamin D deficiency & anemia in adolescent tinnitus management.

The researchers found that tinnitus was not associated with hearing levels but was significantly impacted by age, vitamin D deficiency, and anemia. These results highlight the importance of developing targeted treatment strategies that address these factors in managing tinnitus among adolescents.

Tinnitus, characterized by a persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears, affects a notable portion of the adolescent population. While often considered a benign condition, tinnitus can be a troubling symptom that impacts daily life and mental well-being; therefore, it is important to treat it. However, determining the cause of tinnitus remains highly challenging, and treatment approaches for tinnitus continue to be controversial.

Considering the above, the researchers Sang-Yoon Han and Young Ho Kim from South Korea aimed to identify the prevalence of tinnitus in adolescents and systemic diseases as risk factors of adolescent tinnitus to find evidence for new treatment strategies.

For this purpose, the researchers utilized data from the 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted between 2010 and 2012. They selected 1,593 adolescents with bilateral normal tympanic membranes and comprehensive physical, laboratory, and audiological examination results. They also analyzed their systemic health conditions and investigated the relationship between tinnitus and various demographic factors, systemic diseases, and hearing levels.

The following were the key findings of the study:

• The prevalence of tinnitus in Korean adolescents was 21.7%.
• The hearing level was not associated with tinnitus.
• Tinnitus was significantly associated with age, 25(OH)-D level, and anaemia.
• After controlling the other factors, age, 25(OH)-D level, and anaemia were independently related to tinnitus.

The findings showed that tinnitus among adolescents is significantly associated with vitamin D, age, and anaemia.

"Physicians should be aware of the increased likelihood of deficiencies and systemic diseases in adolescents with tinnitus. Understanding these associations could be crucial in developing more effective treatment strategies for managing tinnitus in this age group," the researchers wrote.

In conclusion, the study highlights the significant connections between tinnitus and systemic diseases such as vitamin D deficiency and anemia. By addressing these underlying health issues, it may be possible to improve management strategies for tinnitus and enhance overall adolescent health outcomes.

Reference:

Han SY, Kim YH. Associations Between Tinnitus and Systemic Disease in Adolescents: Implications of Vitamin D Deficiency and Anaemia. Clin Otolaryngol. 2024 Jul 24. doi: 10.1111/coa.14203. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39048535.