Multivariate Analysis Using Quantitative Methods to Evaluate the Subjective Onomatopoeia of Tinnitus

Abstract

Factors affecting the subjective “kiin” and “jiin” of the onomatopoeia of tinnitus were analyzed quantitatively. A total of 113 patients with unilateral tinnitus were studied.
Major factors affecting the subjective “kiin” and “jiin” of onomatopoeia were age, tinnitus pitch, diagnosis, the duration of tinnitus, and pitch-matched frequency. An age of younger than 50 years was associated with the subjective “kiin” of onomatopoeia. An age of older than 60 years was associated with the subjective “jiin” of onomatopoeia. An age from 50 to 60 years was the transitional phase. High-pitch tinnitus was associated with the subjective “kiin” of onomatopoeia. Low-pitch tinnitus and ambiguous, sudden deafness, dizziness, hearing loss of elderly patients, and middle and low frequencies were associated with the subjective “jiin” of onomatopoeia.
Our results suggest that the mechanism of tinnitus and construction of frequencies differ from between the “kiin” and “jiin” of onomatopoeia.