Study of the relationship between the degree of tinnitus annoyance the presence of hyperacusis

INTRODUCTION: Hyperacusis can be defined as a manifestation of an increased of central auditory pathways gain and can be considered a pre-tinnitus state. In some cases tinnitus can be caused by such increased gain. AIM: To evaluate the prevalence of hyperacusis in patients with tinnitus and its relation to the annoyance of tinnitus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study with patients from the neurotology service complaining of tinnitus in the first consultation were submitted to clinical evaluation, a questionnaire and audiological evaluation of tinnitus and hyperacusis. The degree of annoyance of tinnitus and hyperacusis was measured using a visual analog scale. RESULTS: We analyzed medical records of 309 patients, 169 (54.7%) females and 140 (45.3%) males. The mean age was 53 years. The median degree of tinnitus annoyance was 7. Hyperacusis was present in 57 (18.4%) patients, with a median degree of 5. The degree of annoyance due to tinnitus patients with hyperacusis was similar to that of patients without hyperacusis. CONCLUSION: Hyperacusis was present in 18.4% of patients with tinnitus. The degree of annoyance due to tinnitus had no correlation with the presence of hyperacusis. © 2014 Associação Brasileira de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia Cérvico-Facial. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.