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Objective: Tinnitus is associated with various conditions such as presbycusis, infectious, autoimmune and many other diseases. Our study aims to identify an association between inflammatory markers and the presence of tinnitus or hearing loss (HL).Design: Exploratory study including a structured interview, complete ENT observation, audiological and inflammatory markers evaluation.Study Sample: 60 women and 54 men (55 to 75 years) from the Portuguese population, with or without sensory presbycusis and/or tinnitus.Results: IL10 levels were significantly lower in participants with tinnitus than in those without tinnitus. Moreover, TGF-β was lower in older participants (p=.034), IL1α was higher in participants with tonal tinnitus (p=.033), and IL2 was lower in participants who reported partial or complete residual inhibition (p=.019). Additionally, we observed a negative correlation between tinnitus duration and IL10 levels (r=-.281), and between HSP70 levels and tinnitus loudness (r=-.377). TNF-α and HSP70 levels appears to be sensitive to the time when samples were collected (i.e. morning or afternoon). Conclusions:The results of our study show fluctuations in inflammatory markers along the hearing loss process, reinforce the idea that inflammatory mechanisms are involved in hearing loss pathogenesis but also in tinnitus. IL10 levels appear significantly altered in tinnitus but not hearing loss.

reference lists from relevant systematic reviews and the included primary studies; citation searching of the included primary studies using Web of Science; and hand searching the last six months of key otology journals.Inclusion criteria: Human subjects with subjective tinnitus. Searches were limited to articles in the English language, published in peer reviewed journals.Exclusion criteria: Animal studies, objective tinnitus, Ménières disease, Otosclerosis, Chronic otitis media, history of oncology and chemotherapy, ototoxic drugs intake, autoimmune diseases, neurodegenerative or demyelinating disease.Results: All stages of the study were carried out by at least two members of the review team. The titles and abstracts of the studies identified through the initial search has yielded 3801 records, after removel of duplicates and exclusion based on defined criteria 79 records were selected and the full text articles was requested. Data were extracted using a data extraction form which was developed for purpose and piloted prior to its use. Any disagreements were resolved through discussion or consultation with the third member of the review team. Extracted data included participant information (demographics, baseline characteristics, sample size), country, control, study design,research question, tinnitus characteristics (type of sound, constancy, severity [measure used]), genes and/or biological factor assessed, and key data and findings, conclusions. Pooled estimates (or narrative synthesis) of the association between biological factors and presence or severity of tinnitus from individual studies will be presented.

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Tinnitus is a phantom sound perceived in the absence of external acoustic stimulation. It is described in a variety of ways (e.g., buzzing, ringing, and roaring) and can be a single sound or a combination of different sounds. Our study evaluated associations between audiological parameters and the presence or severity of tinnitus, to improve tinnitus diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Our sample included 122 older participants (63 women and 59 men), aged 55–75 years from the Portuguese population, with or without sensory presbycusis and with or without tinnitus. All participants underwent a clinical evaluation through a structured interview, Ear, Nose, and Throat observation, and audiological evaluation (standard and extended audiometry, psychoacoustic tinnitus evaluation, auditory brainstem responses, and distortion product otoacoustic emissions). The Tinnitus Handicap Inventory was used to measure tinnitus symptom severity. Our data confirmed that the odds of developing tinnitus were significantly higher in the presence of noise exposure and hearing loss. Also, participants who had abrupt tinnitus onset and moderate or severe hyperacusis featured higher odds of at least moderate tinnitus. However, it was in the ABR that we obtained the most exciting and promising results, namely, in wave I, which was the common denominator in all findings. The increase in wave I amplitude is a protective factor to the odds of having tinnitus. Concerning the severity of tinnitus, the logistic regression model showed that for each unit of increase in the mean ratio V/I of ABR, the likelihood of having at least moderate tinnitus was 10% higher. Advancing knowledge concerning potential tinnitus audiological biomarkers can be crucial for the adequate diagnosis and treatment of tinnitus.