Contralateral olivocochlear reflex and its relation with anxiety and quality of life in pa-tients with tinnitus
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Keywords
otoacoustic emissions, auditory efferent, tinnitus, olivocochlear reflex, anxiety, quality of life
Abstract
Introduction: Tinnitus is associated with an increase in the degree of anxiety and with worse quality of life. However, whether there are relations between the function of the auditory efferent system and anxiety and tinnitus distress levels is not known. Aim: To determine possible associations between the distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) amplitudes and the suppressing effect of the olivocochlear reflex (OCR) with anxiety and psycho-emotional impact in tinnitus. Material and Method: DPOAE amplitudes and OCR strength were evaluated for each ear independently in a cohort of 32 tinnitus and 26 controls, whose values were correlated with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI). Results: A significant correlation of STAI and THI scales with the OCR strength measured in the left ear was found in subjects with tinnitus. Conclusion: A higher anxiety load and worse quality of life in subjects with tinnitus may be associated with an impaired olivocochlear reflex suppressing effect.
