Prevalence and associated risk factors of tinnitus among Palestinian adolescents aged 15-18: A cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Tinnitus is a prevalent condition worldwide, particularly among adolescents, that has a substantial impact on quality of life, yet it remains an understudied issue. This study aims to determine the prevalence of tinnitus and its associated risk factors among Palestinian adolescents aged 15-18. A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to March 2025. A convenience sample of participants was recruited. The study utilized the European School for the Interdisciplinary Tinnitus Research Screening Questionnaire. A total of 1,131 participants were enrolled in the study, with 64.5% being females. The prevalence of tinnitus among the study sample was 532, representing 47% of the population. Females had a higher prevalence of tinnitus, with 370 affected (50.7%) compared to males (40.4%). Significant associations were found between tinnitus and several factors: age, positive family history of tinnitus (threefold increased risk), sensitivity to external sounds (2.7 times higher likelihood), slight hearing difficulty in noisy environments (1.7 times higher risk), pain symptoms (double the risk), and difficulty falling asleep (1.8 times higher risk). Notably, the majority of affected participants (71.5%) had never sought professional care for their tinnitus. Although Tinnitus is common among Palestinian adolescents aged 15-18 years, the majority of affected participants did not seek professional care for tinnitus. These findings highlight the importance of conducting further research to shed insight into this prevalent and neglected health priority.