Relationship between tinnitus and sexual dysfunction

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of sexual life of males with and without tinnitus. Fourty patients with a complaint of tinnitus and 40 control subjects with no evidence of ear pathology were included. International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire (IIEF) was used to evaluate the quality of sexual life of the subjects. The mean scores of erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction and overall satisfaction for tinnitus group were significantly lower than that for control group (p=0.0001). There was no correlation between tinnitus duration and IIEF scores (p≤0.05). There was no correlation between tinnitus severity and IIEF scores (p≤0.05). Tinnitus is not only an otologic problem but also has negative effects on quality of life. The clinician must consider these concomitting social, sexual and sleep disturbances and help the patient to cope with these problems.

Keywords

• International Index of Erectile function
• Questionnaire
• Quality of sexual life
• Quality of life
• Tinnitus

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