Prevalence of Headache in Patients with Tinnitus and Severity

Abstract

Objective: To examine the frequency of comorbid headache in patients with tinnitus, frequency of headache associated with tinnitus, and the relationship between the presence of headache and the severity of tinnitus.

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in new patients who visited our clinic with the chief complaint of tinnitus. Patients were asked whether they had recurring headache, and to complete two questionnaires: the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) to assess the severity of tinnitus, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to assess depression and anxiety.

Results: Of the 126 patients with tinnitus enrolled, 38 (30.2%) had comorbid headache. In 16 patients (42.1%), the tinnitus was associated with headache. There was no significant difference in the THI or HADS score between patients with and without headache, (p=0.501 and 0.317, respectively). On the other hand, the THI and HADS scores were significantly higher (p=0.046 and 0.032, respectively) in patients in whom the tinnitus was associated with headache that in the other patients.

Conclusion: It is not uncommon for patients with tinnitus to have headache. Patients in whom the tinnitus is associated with headache are more likely to have severe tinnitus and depression.