Tinnitus, Suicide, and Suicidal Ideation: A Scoping Review of Primary Research

Carol MacDonald*, Charlotte Caimino, Georgina Burns-O’Connell, Douglas Hartley, Joanna Lockwood, Magdalena Sereda, William Whitmer, Rilana Cima, Laura Turton, Derek J. Hoare*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal(Systematic) Review article peer-review

Abstract

Tinnitus (the perception of sound in the absence of any corresponding external source) is highly prevalent and can be distressing. There are unanswered questions about how tinnitus, suicidal thoughts, and suicidal behaviours co-occur and interact. To establish the extent of scientific literature, this scoping review catalogued primary reports addressing the associations between tinnitus, suicidal ideation, attempted suicide, and death by suicide. We searched OvidSP, Medline, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Google Scholar, EThoS, and ProQuest for all studies and case reports on ideation and/or attempted and/or completed suicide in the context of tinnitus. Twenty-three studies were included, and data were charted according to study type. Several epidemiological and other observational studies gave evidence of risk factors and an association between suicidal ideation, suicidal behaviour, and tinnitus. However, there was no evidence of the direction of causality. Qualitative studies are indicated to explore the patient’s experience and understand the dynamics of any interaction between tinnitus and suicidal thoughts and behaviours. A theory-informed model of tinnitus and suicide needs to be developed to inform the development of interventions and how tinnitus patients are supported clinically.
Original languageEnglish
Article number1496
Number of pages26
JournalBrain Sciences
Volume13
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 23 Oct 2023

Keywords

  • suicidal behaviour
  • suicidal ideation
  • suicidal thoughts
  • suicide
  • tinnitus

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