Correlation between Tinnitus Induced Distress and Fatigue in Tinnitus Patients and Characteristics of the Fatigue

Abstract

This study was to investigate the level and characteristic of fatigue of tinnitus patients, and identify the correlation between tinnitus induced distress and fatigue. Data collection was conducted from May to December 2021. Fatigue Severity Scale, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory Scale were used. We used the data from 102 tinnitus patients. We found that 69.6% of them had fatigue(≥4). The reported factors alleviating fatigue were taking rest, a warm bath, and sleeping. The level of fatigue was higher in subjects with lower perceived health status (<.001), longer total duration of tinnitus (<.001), and experienced tinnitus continuously ( =.003). The fatigue was significantly correlated with tinnitus-induced distress. To reduce tinnitus-induced distress, strategies to alleviate tinnitus patient’s fatigue are needed.