Longitudinal follow-up of occupational status in tinnitus patients.

In this study, the long-term outcome of tinnitus patients was studied in terms of changes in occupational status from admission to follow-up for an average duration of 5 years. A consecutive series of 189 tinnitus patients seen between the years 1988 and 1995 were sent a postal questionnaire booklet; 146 provided usable responses (a 77% response rate). Results showed a significant change in occupational status, which was explained partly by retirement because of old age. Few were unemployed at follow-up, and relatively few were on sick leave. These data suggest that tinnitus patients may be less of a demand for the sickness benefit system in Sweden, but it may reflect also that tinnitus is not accepted as a cause for sick absenteeism.