Original Research
A survey exploring awareness and experience of tinnitus in young adults
Submitted: 15 January 2017 | Published: 17 November 2017
About the author(s)
Vedika Bagwandin, Discipline of Audiology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South AfricaLavanithum Joseph, Discipline of Audiology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Abstract
Objectives: The study aimed to describe the awareness and experience of tinnitus among young adults, with regard to its existence, causes, effects and management.
Methods: A descriptive study design was employed using an electronic survey that targeted students within a selected school at a university in KwaZulu-Natal. There were 75 participants between 18 years and 30 years. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. To raise awareness about tinnitus, on completion of the questionnaire, all participants were given access to an information document about tinnitus, its causes and management.
Results: The majority of participants (69.86%) were not aware of the existence of tinnitus. Thus, most of the participants did not know about the causes or effects of tinnitus. Tinnitus was experienced by 13.51% of participants themselves and 12.16% knew someone who suffered from it.
Conclusions: The general lack of awareness of what tinnitus was, its causes and effects, has implications for audiologists who are involved in hearing health care across the age span. Hearing health promotion programmes targeted at young adults should include information on hearing loss as well as tinnitus and its management.
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Crossref Citations
1. Awareness and Experience of Tinnitus in Nepalese Young Adult Population
Sajana Aryal, Prabuddha Bhatarai, Prashant Prabhu
Annals of Otology and Neurotology vol: 5 issue: 01 first page: 036 year: 2022
doi: 10.1055/s-0043-1764177