Research has always pointed to loud sounds or hearing loss contributing to tinnitus. However, research over the last several years has shown that genetics can play a role in many diseases, including tinnitus. For some people, this news can be discouraging, but for others, it provides an opportunity to take steps to prevent tinnitus through lifestyle and diet.

How do researchers determine if tinnitus is inherited?

Researchers at the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden studied the connection between tinnitus and genetics. The study was found in the Journal of American Medicine Association (JAMA) and titled Association of Genetic vs Environmental Factors in Swedish Adoptees with Clinically Significant Tinnitus. The researchers collected data from adopted children, along with health history from their biological and adoptive parents. They believed that if tinnitus is inherited, they would see the effects show up in the children from biological parents.

Information was gathered between January 1, 1964, and December 31, 2015. Over 11,000 adopted children, over 19,000 adoptive parents, and over 17,000 biological parents were part of the study. The researchers used data from adoptees with tinnitus to the biological and adopted parents with tinnitus. Once this information was gathered, the researchers calculated an odds ratio, which measured the probability of developing tinnitus if a condition exists biologically.

What was the conclusion of the study?

The way to determine if tinnitus is inherited, the researchers had to look at the odds ratio from their study. The higher the odds ratio, the greater the probability is for developing the condition, which in this study was tinnitus. In the study, there were 2,019 cases of tinnitus found. Of those 2,019 cases, 214 were adoptees, 317 biological parents, and 444 adoptive parents. The odds ratio of adoptees with tinnitus to biological parents with tinnitus was 2.22, indicating there was a correlation. The odds ratio of adoptees with tinnitus to adoptive parents with tinnitus was 1.00, which showed there was no association.

In conclusion, there is a higher chance of a child developing tinnitus if a biological parent has been diagnosed with tinnitus. This doesn’t mean that life choices or diet aren’t also a factor. It eliminates the environmental factor that if an adoptive parent has tinnitus, then it is highly unlikely that an adoptive child would develop tinnitus from the adoptive parent.

Children that know of a tinnitus diagnosis in a biological parent can be more cautious—such as avoiding loud noises, reducing salt intake, etc.—to help reduce the risk of hearing issues.

If you have a family history of tinnitus, contact Sound Hearing Care at 864-881-1663 to schedule an appointment and discuss steps you can take to protect your hearing. We have four convenient locations in Simpsonville, Greer, Travelers Rest, and Greenville.

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