Investigating the Role of Working Patterns in Tinnitus: Results From a Large UK Population.

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the association of different working patterns and tinnitus.

Design: This cross-sectional study (2006-2010, n = 91,089) was a secondary analysis of existing data from the UK Biobank. It exploratorily evaluated the association between various working patterns, including shift work (day workers/sometimes/frequent), night shift work (day workers/rarely/sometimes/frequent), heavy work (never/sometimes/usually/always), work satisfaction (very happy/moderately happy/moderately unhappy/very unhappy), standing work (never/sometimes/usually/always) and workplace noise (no/exposing <1 year/1 to 5 years/>5 years) and the occurrence (yes/no), frequency (constant/transient) and severity (troublesome/not troublesome) of tinnitus. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis models were conducted. Sub-analysis was performed to estimate the effects of age, sex, and different working factors on tinnitus.

Results: The study results showed that occasional shift and night shift were associated with an increased risk of tinnitus, while frequent shift/night shift showed no such association. This risk was further exacerbated by increased heavy work, prolonged standing work, lower job satisfaction, and extended exposure to noisy workplaces. Specifically, being occasionally engaged in shift/night shift, increasing workload, and short-term noise exposure (<1 year) were correlated with "transient tinnitus," while long-time noise exposure (>5 years) was identified as a significant risk factor for "constant tinnitus." Lower work satisfaction and noise exposure for more than 1 year were positively associated with "troublesome tinnitus."

Conclusions: Irregular working shifts, increasing physical workload, lower work satisfaction, and longer noise exposure were related to the occurrence, frequency, and severity of tinnitus in the UK Biobank cohort. Therefore, targeted interventions aimed at improving working patterns may help prevent tinnitus.