Correlation Analysis between the Severity of Tinnitus and Headache and Environmental Noise Exposure Levels in Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis.

Authors

YiBiao Chen, JianPing Huang, Biao Cui, YuLu Wang, Juan Xu, JianWei Zhang

Published in

Noise & health. Volume 28. Issue 134. Pages 1220-1229. Epub Oct 31, 2026.

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the relationship between the level of noise exposure in patients' residential environments and the intensity of tinnitus and headache among individuals with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).
This cross-sectional study included 100 patients with CRS alongside 100 healthy controls matched by age, sex, and noise exposure levels. We quantified ambient noise exposure using the equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure level (Leq), recorded over a 7‑day period. Based on their Leq readings, subjects were classified into three exposure tiers: low (≤55 dB[A]), moderate (55.01-65 dB[A]), and high (≥65.01 dB[A]). We used the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) to measure tinnitus severity and a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) to measure headache severity. Statistical evaluations included Spearman's rank correlation and multivariate logistic regression.
In patients with CRS, THI and VAS scores increased progressively with higher noise exposure levels ( F  = 377.12 and 134.25, both P < 0.001). Noise exposure level showed strong positive correlations with THI ( r  = 0.712) and VAS ( r  = 0.689) scores (both P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified high-level noise exposure (odds ratio [OR] = 4.215, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.987-8.942, P < 0.001) and disease duration ≥5 years (OR = 2.876, 95% CI: 1.235-6.718, P  = 0.014) as independent risk factors for severe tinnitus. High-level noise exposure (OR = 3.987, 95% CI: 1.896-8.385, P < 0.001) and smoking (OR = 2.135, 95% CI: 1.024-4.451, P  = 0.043) were independent risk factors for severe headache. Subgroup analysis revealed stronger correlations in patients with longer disease duration.
In patients with CRS, residential noise exposure level is positively correlated with tinnitus and headache severity. High-level noise exposure is an independent risk factor for severe tinnitus and severe headache.

PMID:
42976020
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 04 Nov 2026.

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