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Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology

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18-01-2024 | Tinnitus | Database Studies

Tinnitus: A Dimensionally Segregated, yet Perceptually Integrated Heterogeneous Disorder

Authors: Anusha Yasoda-Mohan, Katherine Adcock, Sook Ling Leong, Emma Meade, Berthold Langguth, Martin Schecklmann, Hubert Lim, Sven Vanneste

Published in: Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology | Issue 2/2024

Abstract

Objectives

Tinnitus subtypes are proposed to lie on a continuum of different symptom dimensions rather than be categorical. However, there is no comprehensive empirical data showing this complex relationship between different tinnitus symptoms. The objective of this study is to provide empirical evidence for the dimensional nature of tinnitus and how different auditory and non-auditory symptoms interact with each other through complex interactions. We do this using graph theory, a mathematical tool that empirically maps this complex interaction. This way, graph theory can be utilised to highlight a new and possibly important outlook on how we can understand the heterogeneous nature of tinnitus.

Design

In the current study, we use the screening databases of the Treatment Evaluation of Neuromodulation for Tinnitus-Stage A1 (TENT-A1) and A2 (TENT-A2) randomised trials to delineate the dimensional relationship between different clinical measures of tinnitus as a secondary data analysis. We first calculate the empirical relationship by computing the partial correlation. Following this, we use different measures of centrality to describe the contribution of different clinical measures to the overall network. We also calculate the stability of the network and compare the similarity and differences between TENT-A1 and TENT-A2.

Results

Components of the auditory subnetwork (loudness discomfort level, sound sensitivity, average hearing loss and high frequency hearing loss) are highly inter-connected in both networks with sound sensitivity and loudness discomfort level being highly influential with high measures of centrality. Furthermore, the relationship between the densely connected auditory subnetwork with tinnitus-related distress seems to vary at different levels of distress, hearing loss, duration and age of the participants.

Conclusion

Our findings provide first-time evidence for tinnitus varying in a dimensional fashion illustrating the heterogeneity of this phantom percept and its ability to be perceptually integrated, yet behaviourally segregated on different symptomatic dimensions.

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Title: Tinnitus: A Dimensionally Segregated, yet Perceptually Integrated Heterogeneous Disorder
Authors: Anusha Yasoda-Mohan
Katherine Adcock
Sook Ling Leong
Emma Meade
Berthold Langguth
Martin Schecklmann
Hubert Lim
Sven Vanneste
Publication date: 18-01-2024
Publisher: Springer US
Keyword: Tinnitus
Published in: Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology / Issue 2/2024
Print ISSN: 1525-3961
Electronic ISSN: 1438-7573
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10162-023-00923-0

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Tinnitus: A Dimensionally Segregated, yet Perceptually Integrated Heterogeneous Disorder

Abstract

Objectives

Design

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Design

Results

Conclusion

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