Association between working patterns and tinnitus: a cross-sectional cohort study from UK Biobank

Objectives Understanding the association between working patterns and tinnitus could help prevent tinnitus. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the relationship between different working patterns and tinnitus. Design: A cross-sectional analysis by logistic regressions using baseline data (2006–2010, n=91089) was conducted to evaluate the association between working patterns (including shift work, night shift work, heavy work, work satisfaction, standing work and workplace noise) and the occurrence (yes/no), frequency (constant/transient), and severity (upsetting/not upsetting) of tinnitus.

Results Our results showed that compared with dayworkers, sometimes shift (OR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.03–1.16) or sometimes night shift workers (OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.05–1.20) had higher risk of having tinnitus. Besides, the risk of tinnitus increased as the workload of heavy work (sometimes: OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.16–1.26; usually: OR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.19–1.35; always: OR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.26–1.43) and standing work (sometimes: OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.01–1.09; usually: OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.07–1.17; always: OR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.13–1.24;) piled up, which indicated that increasing workload might be associated with the occurrence of tinnitus. Similar trends were shown in patients with “constant tinnitus” (“transient tinnitus” as reference) and “upsetting tinnitus” (“not upsetting” as reference) (all p<0.05). The association between working patterns and tinnitus was independent of genetic tinnitus predisposition.

Conclusions Irregular shifts, increasing physical workload, lower work satisfaction and longer noise exposure are associated with the occurrence, frequency and severity of tinnitus. Therefore, precise interventions for working patterns may help in the prevention of tinnitus.

Publication History

Article published online:
12 May 2023