Prevalence of tinnitus and audiological correlates among college-age students

Aim: the current study aims to assess the prevalence and associated audiological factors of tinnitus and hyperacusis among college-age population. We also aim to translate and validate (Khlafa’s questionnaire).

Method:

Participants: sample size of 1000 college students aged 18–30 years from the University of Hail.

Recruitment process: through advertisements around campus. An online questionnaire will be distributed to randomly selected classes from male and females University of Hail campuses.

Questionnaire:

We will use Tinnitus Handicap Questionnaire (reference), a validated questionnaire to assess tinnitus-related handicap in daily live. Additionally, a set of questions will be included to gather demographic information, general health questions, lifestyle habits, and hearing, tinnitus, and hyperacusis history and characteristics.

History of Noise Exposure:

The survey inquired about frequency of exposure to firearms and firecrackers. It included questions about frequency (i.e., how often) and duration (i.e., how long) of noise exposures.

Audiological Testing:

Conventional and extended high-frequency pure tone audiometry. Extended high frequency audiometry will be measured using Sennheiser HDA 300 headphones.

Additionally, we will measure uncomfortable loudness level (UCL).

Tympanometry to assess the function of the middle ear. Patients with results consistent with middle ear pathologies will be excluded.

Distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) we will perform DPOAEs input-output function as well as DP gram