A recent study has found a link between tinnitus in men and body fat—particularly in the trunk area, challenging traditional views on the condition’s risk factors.
Tinnitus, a common condition in which people hear sounds that don’t exist, affects about 15 percent of the world’s population.
Tinnitus and Body Composition
The study, published in Scientific Reports, analyzed physical, ontological (relating to the science of ear diseases), and body composition data from 2,257 people in the ninth Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey, a national surveillance system assessing health.
After controlling for age and average hearing ability, male participants with tinnitus (both acute and chronic) exhibited higher total body fat percentages, particularly in the arms, trunk, and legs, as well as larger waist circumferences.
Those with chronic tinnitus showed significantly higher levels of trunk fat, greater waist size, and less leg muscle mass. This association wasn’t observed in female participants.
Using World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, researchers defined obesity as 25 percent body fat for men and 35 percent for women. The study concluded that body composition was “significantly” associated with tinnitus in males, with central obesity linked to chronic tinnitus. According to the authors, assessing central obesity risk could also enhance early detection and mitigation of cardiovascular risks in men with the condition.
Additional study findings included the following:
- Tinnitus was more common in men (about 12 percent) than women (about 7 percent).
- High blood pressure was more common in people with tinnitus (about 37 percent) than those without (about 29 percent).
- Half of the people with tinnitus experienced dizziness compared to only a third of those without it.
- There was no significant difference in diabetes rates between the two groups.
- People with tinnitus scored higher on tests for depression and anxiety.
These findings suggest that tinnitus is associated with several other health and lifestyle factors, particularly in men.
Tinnitus Causes
People with tinnitus may hear ringing, buzzing, or other sounds with varying intensity in one or both ears.
Causes range from excess caffeine or salt intake to brain tumors, Suzanne Finkel, an audiologist and professor at Sacred Heart University, told The Epoch Times.
Tinnitus has the three following types:
- Subjective: most common; sounds only heard by the affected individual
- Objective: rare; detectable during ear examinations
- Pulsatile: produces a rhythmic sound matching a heartbeat
While age-related and noise-induced hearing loss are primary causes, other factors include ear infections, earwax buildup, and certain medications.
Tinnitus Can’t Be Eliminated in Most Cases: Expert
People experiencing tinnitus should first consult a physician, who can determine the cause and recommend a hearing test, Finkel said. Tinnitus can’t usually be eliminated, but it can be managed effectively, she noted.
An audiologist can be instrumental in treating associated hearing loss and providing coping strategies, Finkel added.
Finkel said there are no pharmacological cures for tinnitus, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not recommend vitamin supplements to treat the condition.
But there are other effective ways to relieve the symptoms, such as the following:
- Sound therapy helps patients relax and sleep by masking tinnitus.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) refocuses negative emotions associated with tinnitus.
- Progressive Tinnitus Management, a Veterans Affairs-developed program, combines sound therapy, CBT, and education for personalized management plans.