(129) Tinnitus Handicap, Economic Distress and Noise Exposure in the Bronx, NY

Introduction: Subjective tinnitus is extremely common and can be debilitating for many patients. Social, environmental and economic factors may play a role in determining the impact that tinnitus has on quality of life.

Methods: A prospective survey study of 32 adult patients (>18 years old) with chronic (>3 months) subjective tinnitus living in the Bronx, NY, was completed between June 2025 and January 2026. The study setting was a tertiary academic medical center setting. Tinnitus handicap was measured using the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI). Economic distress was estimated using the Distressed Communities Index (DCI). Overall well-being was determined using the Quality of Life (QOLS) scale. Environmental noise exposure and sensitivity were assessed by survey. Analyses performed included descriptive statistics and correlational analyses. The main outcome measured was TFI score as a function of DCI and QOLS scores.

Results: TFI scores ranged from 2.8 to 98 (mean TFI ± SD= 50.5 ± 24.6). Overall well-being was negatively correlated with tinnitus handicap (QOLS x TFI; r= -0.38, p= 0.03, 95% CI: -0.64 to -0.03). High levels of economic distress were seen across patients (mean DCI ± SD= 77.7 ± 16.0), but economic distress was not correlated with tinnitus handicap (DCI x TFI; r= 0.1, p= 0.59, 95% CI: -0.26 to 0.44). Noise exposure levels were high, with 20/32 (63%) patients reporting somewhat or very frequent exposure to loud sounds, and 5/32 (16%) reporting to have filed a noise complaint.

Conclusions: Patients seeking care for bothersome tinnitus in the Bronx, NY, face significant levels of economic distress and noise pollution. Increasing levels of tinnitus handicap were associated with decreased overall well-being. Improving our understanding of the economic, environmental and social factors that impact patients’ experiences of tinnitus will help to optimize care delivery.