A Factor Analytical Study of Tinnitus Complaint Behaviour

TLDR

The study considers the clinical implications of the multifactorial nature of tinnitus complaint behaviour. Two separate factor analyses were performed on self‑rated tinnitus complaints, related neuro‑otological symptoms, and audiometric intensity measures (masking level and loudness matching). Factor analysis revealed two general tinnitus complaint factors—intrusiveness and distress—and three specific factors—sleep disturbance, medication use, and interference with passive auditory entertainment—while most neuro‑otological symptoms and audiometric measures did not load on these factors, except for a small 1 kHz loudness match loading and a high self‑rated loudness loading on the intrusiveness factor.

Abstract

Two separate factor analyses were conducted on various self-rated complaints about tinnitus and related neuro-otological symptoms, together with audiometric measurements of tinnitus 'intensity' (masking level and loudness matching levels). Two general tinnitus complaint factors were identified, i.e. 'intrusiveness of tinnitus' and 'distress due to tinnitus'. 3 specific tinnitus complaint factors were also found, i.e. 'sleep disturbance', 'medication use' and 'interference with passive auditory entertainments'. Other neuro-otological symptoms and the audiometric measures did not load on these factors. An exception was provided by loudness matches at 1 kHz, which had a small loading on the 'intrusiveness of tinnitus' factor. Self-rated loudness had a high loading on this factor. Otherwise, the loudness (either self-rated or determined by loudness matching) was unrelated to complaint dimensions. The clinical implications of the multifactorial nature of tinnitus complaint behaviour are considered.