Tinnitus and quality of life in medical students at a public university in Lima

Cordero Pinedo F.M.; Cordero Tito L.K.; Jauregui Francia F.T. · Revista Cubana de Medicina General Integral (2026)

Resumen

Introduction: Tinnitus is defined as the perception of sound in the absence of an external auditory stimulus. It has a multifactorial origin, and its long-term persistence can compromise quality of life, often leading to anxiety and depression, which in turn reduce performance in daily activities. Objective: To determine the relationship between tinnitus and quality of life among medical students at a public university in Lima. Methods: A quantitative, descriptive-correlational, cross-sectional study was conducted. The sample consisted of 143 medical students with clinical symptoms of tinnitus, who completed the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI). Results: The sample included 67 males (46.85 %) and 76 females (53.15 %). The mean tinnitus severity score was 27.49, corresponding to mild severity. The overall mean quality of life score was 9.16, indicating a very mild impact. The scatter plot revealed a positive correlation between both variables: higher tinnitus severity was associated with a greater impact on quality of life. Conclusions: The severity of tinnitus is significantly associated with the quality of life of medical students.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal