Relationship between tinnitus and olfactory dysfunction: audiovisual, olfactory, and medical examinations

Naomi Katayama, Tadao Yoshida, Tsutomu Nakashima, Yasuki Ito, Masaaki Teranishi, Takeshi Iwase, Saiko Sugiura, Kensuke Goto, Yasue Uchida, Yosuke Taki, Takafumi Nakada, Ai Tada, Hirokazu Suzuki, Yuta Nakano, Mariko Shimono, Naoki Saji, Anna Kogure, Emiko Shimizu, Michihiko Sone, Nobuyuki Hamajima

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Introduction: Sensory dysfunctions and cognitive impairments are related to each other. Although a relationship between tinnitus and subjective olfactory dysfunction has been reported, there have been no reports investigating the relationship between tinnitus and olfactory test results. Methods: To investigate the relationship between tinnitus and olfactory test results, we conducted sensory tests, including hearing and visual examinations. The subjects included 510 community-dwelling individuals (295 women and 215 men) who attended a health checkup in Yakumo, Japan. The age of the subjects ranged from 40 to 91 years (mean ± standard deviation, 63.8 ± 9.9 years). The participants completed a self-reported questionnaire on subjective tinnitus, olfactory function, and hearing function, as well as their lifestyle. The health checkup included smell, hearing, vision, and blood examinations. Results: After adjusting for age and sex, the presence of tinnitus was significantly associated with subjective olfactory dysfunction, poor olfactory test results, hearing deterioration, vertigo, and headache. Additionally, high serum calcium levels and a low albumin/globulin ratio were significantly associated with low physical activity and nutrition. Women scored higher than men in olfactory and hearing examinations, but there was no gender difference in vision examinations. Conclusion: Subjective smell dysfunction and poor smell test results were significantly associated with tinnitus complaints. Hearing and vision were associated even after adjusting for age and sex. These findings suggest that evaluating the mutual relationships among sensory organs is important when evaluating the influence of sensory dysfunctions on cognitive function.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1124404
JournalFrontiers in Public Health
Volume11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Relationship between tinnitus and olfactory dysfunction: audiovisual, olfactory, and medical examinations'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this