Secondary Conditions to Tinnitus for VA Disability Benefits
Migraine Headache Conditions Secondary to Tinnitus
Migraine headaches are a type of headache characterized by intense pain that can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sounds, lightheadedness, and blurred vision. Migraines can be debilitating and can last anywhere from hours to days depending on the person. It is unclear what causes migraines, but triggers can include hormonal imbalance, alcohol, stress, and sensory stimulation (e.g., tinnitus). According to the American Migraine Foundation, there is a strong relationship between tinnitus and migraine headaches. Specifically, about 27 percent of individuals with tinnitus also suffer from migraines. Some individuals also report a worsening in tinnitus symptoms during migraine attacks. Recent studies suggest that tinnitus and migraines co-occur as a result of spontaneous abnormal neural activity; however, more research needs to be done in this area.
Depression Secondary to Tinnitus
Depression is a serious mental health condition that affects the way a person thinks, feels, and acts. Symptoms of depression tend to vary amongst individuals; however, common symptoms include:
Persistent feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and hopelessness
Lack of motivation or interest in activities that usually derive pleasure
Difficulty sleeping and concentrating
Change in appetite resulting in weight loss or weight gain
Irritability
Fatigue
Current research also points to a significant relationship between tinnitus and depression. A 2015 study titled “The Correlation of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory with Depression and Anxiety in Veterans with Tinnitus” looked at the percentage of veterans with tinnitus who also suffered from depression. The results revealed that 58.2 percent of the sample (i.e., 91 veterans with a diagnosis of tinnitus) had depression. Overall, tinnitus may cause complications with sleep thereby leading to stress, fatigue, and ultimately, depression.
Anxiety Secondary to Tinnitus
Anxiety is defined as intense, excessive, and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations. It is estimated that one-third of adults in the United States suffer from anxiety disorders. The most common symptoms of anxiety disorders include the following:
Feeling restless, jumpy, or on edge
Excessive worrying
Difficulty concentrating
Rapid heartbeat
Trembling or twitching
Muscle tension
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Feeling dizzy, nauseous, or lightheaded
Difficulty sleeping
The study referenced above also found that 79.1 percent of the sample also suffered from anxiety. Importantly, 58.2 percent of the sample suffered from both anxiety and depression.
Somatic Symptom Disorder Secondary to Tinnitus
Somatic symptom disorder is characterized by an extreme focus on physical symptoms, such as pain or fatigue, that causes major emotional distress and problems with social and occupational functioning. Oftentimes, individuals with somatic symptom disorder have another diagnosed medical condition that is associated with these symptoms. However, the individual’s reaction to the actual medical condition is excessive or disproportionate to the actual problem. Veterans may become overly focused on their tinnitus symptoms and begin to worry about them excessively.
Sleep Apnea Secondary to Tinnitus
Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which a person’s breathing is repeatedly interrupted during the course of the night. There are three main types of sleep apnea, including the following: (1) obstructive sleep apnea; (2) central sleep apnea; and (3) complex (mixed) sleep apnea syndrome. Generally speaking, the most common symptoms include: loud snoring, gasping for air during sleep, awakening with a dry mouth, morning headache, insomnia, hypersomnolence (i.e., excessive daytime sleepiness), and difficulty concentrating. One previous study assessed the reported prevalence and severity of sleep disturbance in chronic tinnitus patients. Of these patients, 80 were military personnel with a diagnosis of tinnitus associated with noise-induced permanent hearing loss. Mini Sleep Questionnaire (MSQ) scores for sleep disturbance were found to be higher than those of normal controls in 77 percent of the patients. The highest MSQ scores in tinnitus patients were for delayed sleep, morning awakenings, mid-sleep awakenings, morning fatigue, and chronic fatigue.
