Relationship between tinnitus and sexual dysfunction

The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of sexual life of males with and without tinnitus. Fourty patients with a complaint of tinnitus and 40 control subjects with no evidence of ear pathology were included. International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire (IIEF) was used to evaluate the quality of sexual life of the subjects. The mean scores of erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction and overall satisfaction for tinnitus group were significantly lower than that for control group (p=0.0001). There was no correlation between tinnitus duration and IIEF scores (p≤0.05). There was no correlation between tinnitus severity and IIEF scores (p≤0.05). Tinnitus is not only an otologic problem but also has negative effects on quality of life. The clinician must consider these concomitting social, sexual and sleep disturbances and help the patient to cope with these problems.

Keywords:

International Index of Erectile function, Questionnaire, Quality of sexual life Quality of life, Tinnitus,

PDF

___

Axelsson, A., Ringdahl, A., 1989. Tinnitus-a study of its prevalence and characteristics. Br J. Audiol. 23, 53-62.
Bakır, S., Penbegül, N., Gün, R., 2012. Relationship between hearing loss and sexual dysfunction. J. Laryngol. Otol. 20, 1-6. doi: 10.1017/ S0022215112002952.
Bauch, C.D., Lynn, S.G., Williams, D.E., Mellon, M.W., Weaver, A.L., 2003. Tinnitus impact: Three different measurement tools. J. Am. Acad. Audiol. 14, 181-187.
Ceylan, C., Odabaş, O., Yığman, M., Doğan, S., Yüksel, S., 2013. Does the treatment of sleep apnea improve the sexual performance in men with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome? J. Clin. Anal. Med. 4, 9-12.
Crönlein, T., Langguth, B., Geisler, P., Hajak, G., 2007. Tinnitus and insomnia. Prog. Brain. Res. 166, 227-233.
Jakes, S.C., Hallam, R.S., Chambers, C., 1985. A factor analytical study of tinnitus complaint behaviour. Audiology. 24, 195-206.
Meikle, M.B., Vernon, J., Johnson, R.M., 1984. The perceived severity of tinnitus. Some observations concerning a large population of tinnitus clinic patients. Otolaryngol Neck Surg. 92, 689-696.
Moller, A.R., Langguth, B., DeRidder, D., Kleinjung, T., 2010. Textbook of tinnitus: Diagnosis and treatment. 1st edition. New York: Springer. p.p.7
Muluk, N.B., Basar, M.M., Oguzturk, O., Dikici, O., 2007. Does subjective tinnitus cause sexual disturbance? J. Otolaryngol. 36, 77-82. Ozler, G.S., Ozler, S., 2013. Quality of social and sexual life in males with hearing loss. Int. Adv. Otol. 9, 211-218.
Ozler, G.S., Ozler, S., 2014. Does halitosis effect the sexual life of males with halitosis? J. Clin. Anal. Med. 1-3 doi:10.4328/JCAM.2230. Sanchez, L., Stephens, D., 2000. Survey of the perceived benefits and shortcomings of a specialisttinnitus clinic. Audiology. 39, 333-339. Turner, O., Windfuhr, K., Kapur, N., 2007. Suicide in deaf populations: A literatüre review. Ann. Gen. Psychiatry. 6, 26.
Zapata, C., López-Escámez, J.A., 2011. A pilot study of sexual health in patients with Ménière’s disease. Acta Otorrinolaringol Esp. 62, 119-125. doi: 1016/j.otorri.2010.09.010.