# Sexual Quality of Life in Subjective Tinnitus Individuals With Normal Hearing: A Case–Control Study

## TL;DR

This study found that people with tinnitus have worse sexual quality of life than those without, especially in men.

## Contribution

The study is the first to specifically compare sexual quality of life in tinnitus patients and healthy individuals.

## Key findings

- Tinnitus patients had lower sexual quality of life scores than the control group.
- THI scores were inversely correlated with male sexual quality of life scores.
- Tinnitus discomfort significantly affects sexual quality of life in men.

## Abstract

This study aimed to assess the quality of sexual life among individuals experiencing subjective tinnitus and to draw comparisons with a control group.

The study included a group of 21 patients with subjective tinnitus as a case group and 21 healthy individuals as a control group. We used patient information form, Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX), Sexual Quality of Life Scale–Female (SQOL‐F), Sexual Quality of Life Scale–Male (SQOL‐M), and Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) as the data collection tool in this research.

The analysis showed no significant difference in average ASEX scores among the groups. It was determined that the SQOL‐F and SQOL‐M score averages were higher in the control group than the case group (p < 0.05). A statistically significant inverse correlation was observed between the THI score and the SQOL‐M score among individuals experiencing subjective tinnitus in the case group. A statistically significant effect of tinnitus discomfort obtained by THI was found on sexual quality of life in men. In individuals with tinnitus, 43% of the SQOL‐M scores evaluating the quality of sexual life in men can be explained by THI.

First of all the sexual quality of life scores of case group was worse than healthy individuals. In addition, the negative correlation between THI and sexual quality of life in male indicates that male individuals are more affected. The sexual quality of life in individuals with tinnitus should be specifically addressed by health professionals.

This study highlights that subjective tinnitus negatively affects sexual quality of life. This effect is more pronounced in men, indicating that tinnitus has a more significant impact on their sexual health.