The study provides an in-depth analysis of tinnitus by categorizing it into otologic, non-otologic, and mixed types. It finds that 70.7% of tinnitus cases are otologic, primarily linked to middle and inner ear issues. Non-otologic causes, including central and somatosensory origins, are less common. Tinnitus is more prevalent in older patients and males but with no significant links. Otologic cases were often found to be associated with reduced hearing, central cases with significant giddiness, and somatosensory cases.

References: Wadhwa S, Jain S, Patil N, Dobariya H, Patil V, Kawale M, Deshmukh PT, Gaurkar SS. Exploring the Association Between Clinical Characteristics and Etiopathogenesis of Tinnitus: A Cross-Sectional Study. Cureus. 2024 Sep 27;16(9):e70320. doi: 10.7759/cureus.70320. PMID: 39469400; PMCID: PMC11513205.

Smoking was associated with the occurrence of all three audiovestibular symptoms at once. The risk for hearing loss only was increased by higher levels of glucose and arterial hypertension, while dizziness only was facilitated by dyslipidemia as well as increased levels of HbA1c. These findings contribute to our understanding of the complex interplay between lifestyle and health outcomes.

References: Ihler F, Brzoska T, Altindal R, Dziemba O, Völzke H, Busch CJ, Ittermann T. Prevalence and risk factors of self-reported hearing loss, tinnitus, and dizziness in a population-based sample from rural northeastern Germany. Sci Rep. 2024 Jul 31;14(1):17739. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-68577-3. PMID: 39085387; PMCID: PMC11291685.

Treatment for hyperacusis can broadly be categorized into those which target the physical symptoms, and those which aim to reduce the psychological burden of the condition. Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) involves educating the patient about their condition alongside gradual sound enrichment, and its use in hyperacusis is becoming increasingly popular.[26] Prolonged low-level noise exposure has been shown to have a reversing effect on the enhanced neural gain, which is thought to be the underlying mechanism of hyperacusis.[28]

References: Coey JG, De Jesus O. Hyperacusis. [Updated 2023 Aug 23]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557713/