Tinnitus and arterial hypertension: a systematic review

Hypertension facilitates age-related diseases. ~ Is hypertension associated with a wide variety of diseases?~

Hypertension, a disease whose prevalence increases with age, induces pathological conditions of ischemic vascular disorders such as cerebral infarction and myocardial infarction due to accelerated arteriosclerosis and circulatory insufficiency of small arteries and sometimes causes hemorrhagic conditions such as cerebral hemorrhage and ruptured aortic aneurysm. On the other hand, as it is said that aging starts with the blood vessels, impaired blood flow associated with vascular aging is the basis for the development of many pathological conditions, and ischemic changes in target organs associated with vascular disorders result in tissue dysfunction and degeneration, inducing organ hypofunction and dysfunction. Therefore, we hypothesized that hypertension is associated with all age-related vascular diseases, and attempted to review the relationship between hypertension and diseases for which a relationship has not been previously well reported. Following our review, we hope that a collaborative effort to unravel age-related diseases from the perspective of hypertension will be undertaken together with experts in various specialties regarding the relationship of hypertension to all pathological conditions.

Association of tinnitus and self-reported systemic arterial hypertension: a retrospective study

PURPOSE

To describe data on hearing loss, systemic arterial hypertension and tinnitus of individuals, and to verify the association between self-reported systemic arterial hypertension and tinnitus, as well as to correlate other variables present in the sample: hearing loss and tinnitus, age and tinnitus and age and systemic arterial hypertension.

METHODS

Quantitative, descriptive and inferential, retrospective research with data collection from 473 medical records of adults and elderly people treated between 2008 and 2018. Selected were information on age, gender, result of pure tone audiometry, tinnitus, tinnitus type and frequency, presence of SAH and use of medication to control the disease.

RESULTS

No association was found between systemic arterial hypertension and tinnitus or between hearing loss and tinnitus and between age and tinnitus, however, an association was observed between age and systemic arterial hypertension using the Chi - Square test. The most common type of tinnitus was wheezing and most individuals who reported feeling more than one type of tinnitus were hypertensive.

CONCLUSION

The results found and the literature suggest that systemic arterial hypertension may be an additional factor or an aggravating factor of preexisting factors in the generation of tinnitus, but not the primary cause.

Absence of Association of Tinnitus With Pre-existing Hypertension: A Population-based Study

OBJECTIVES

Whether tinnitus is associated with pre-existing hypertension remains uncertain. This study explored the association between tinnitus and pre-existing hypertension.

METHODS

We obtained data on a retrospective cohort of 542 884 cases ≥18 years old with a first-time tinnitus diagnosis from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. We used propensity-score matching to select 542 884 matched controls and performed multiple logistic regression analyses to estimate the adjusted odds of prior hypertension among patients with tinnitus versus controls.

RESULTS

Bivariate analysis showed no significant difference in the prevalence of prior hypertension between the tinnitus and no-tinnitus groups (35.58% vs 35.5%, P = .617). Univariable logistic regression analysis confirmed the bivariate analysis finding, unadjusted odds of prior hypertension among the tinnitus group relative to controls, 1.002, 95% CI: 0.994-1.010, P = .617). After adjusting for age, sex, monthly income, geographic location and urbanization level, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, hearing loss, obesity, anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, alcohol abuse, nicotine dependence, anxiety disorder, depressive disorder and idiopathic intracranial hypertension, the odds of prior hypertension were similar among the tinnitus and no-tinnitus groups (OR = 1.006, 95% CI: 0.997-1.016, P = .178).

CONCLUSIONS

Our population-based study found no evidence for an association between tinnitus and pre-existing hypertension.

Association Between Tinnitus and Hypertension: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

OBJECTIVE

Evaluating the association between arterial hypertension and tinnitus while controlling for gender, race, diabetes, hearing loss, and depression as potential confounders.

STUDY DESIGN

The present study employed a cross-sectional design.

SETTING

Health interviews were conducted in the respondents' homes.

PATIENTS

Respondents represent a nationwide sample of the noninstitutionalized civilian population of the United States. A total of 5,735 adults were identified by the NHANES 2015 to 2016 questionnaires.

INTERVENTIONS

Questionnaires were administered to each participant.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Participants' responses regarding tinnitus, hypertension, hearing loss, depression, diabetes, and demographics were used to evaluate potential associations. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted on different age groups with the presence of hypertension as the response variable.

RESULTS

Participants aged 20 to 39 with tinnitus were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with hypertension (OR = 2.49; p = 0.024) after adjusting for potential confounding. No significant association between tinnitus and hypertension was found for older age groups. The diagnosis of diabetes was associated with hypertension in ages 20 to 39 (OR = 7.11; p = 0.001), 40 to 59 (OR = 3.45; p = 0.020), and 60 to 69 (OR = 3.89; p = 0.032).

CONCLUSIONS

Tinnitus is associated with hypertension in younger age groups of 20 to 39 years of age but not in age groups greater than 40 years. Diabetes is also associated with hypertension in individuals aged 20 to 69 years. This finding of tinnitus as a risk factor for hypertension in younger populations may inform better clinical practice and lead to earlier detection of hypertension in at-risk patients.

Hypertension Associated With Hearing Loss and Tinnitus Among Hypertensive Adults at a Tertiary Hospital in South Africa

Introduction

Hypertension is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and has been associated with target organ damage. Effects of hypertension on the auditory system are varied and requires further investigation. This study aimed to investigate the association between hypertension and auditory deficits (hearing loss and tinnitus).

Methods

This study employed a cross-sectional study including 106 (54.7% female) hypertensive adults aged 18–55 years, and 92 (52.2% female) non-hypertensive sex- and age-matched adults residing in South Africa. A data extraction sheet was used to obtain hypertension information from participants' medical files, and to subjectively obtain tinnitus status and characteristics among participants. Participants' hearing sensitivity—including extended high frequencies (EHF)—were measured using a diagnostic audiometer. The χ2 test determined the difference in auditory deficit prevalence between the study groups. Logistic regression was used to identify predictor variables associated with auditory deficits in the hypertensive group.

Results

A hearing loss prevalence of 37.4% among hypertensive adults compared to 14.1% among the non-hypertensive group (P = 0.000, χ2 = 14.00) was found. The EHF pure-tone average among the hypertensive group was 44.1 ± 19.2 dB HL, and 20.0 ± 18.3 dB HL among the control group. Bilateral mild sensorineural hearing loss was the most common type of hearing loss among hypertensive adults. A higher prevalence of tinnitus (41.5%) was found in the hypertensive group compared to the control group (22.8%) (P = 0.008, χ2 = 7.09). In this study, 30.3% of hypertensive adults had tinnitus without hearing loss compared to 17.7% non-hypertensive adults. Factors associated with hearing loss included being between 50 and 55 years [adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 3.35; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.32–8.50; P = 0.011], having grade 2 hypertension (AOR = 4.18; 95% CI: 1.02–17.10; P = 0.048), and being on antihypertensive medication (AOR = 3.18; 95% CI: 1.02–9.87; P = 0.045). Tinnitus was associated with grade 3 hypertension (AOR = 3.90; 95% CI: 1.12–12.64; P = 0.033).

Conclusions

Our study showed that hypertensive adults had a higher proportion of hearing loss and tinnitus compared to non-hypertensive adults. Findings suggest an association between hypertension and auditory deficits, demonstrating a need for integration of hearing healthcare services for hypertension management.

Association of tinnitus and self-reported systemic arterial hypertension: a retrospective study

ABSTRACT Purpose To describe data on hearing loss, systemic arterial hypertension and tinnitus of individuals, and to verify the association between self-reported systemic arterial hypertension and tinnitus, as well as to correlate other variables present in the sample: hearing loss and tinnitus, age and tinnitus and age and systemic arterial hypertension. Methods Quantitative, descriptive and inferential, retrospective research with data collection from 473 medical records of adults and elderly people treated between 2008 and 2018. Selected were information on age, gender, result of pure tone audiometry, tinnitus, tinnitus type and frequency, presence of SAH and use of medication to control the disease. Results No association was found between systemic arterial hypertension and tinnitus or between hearing loss and tinnitus and between age and tinnitus, however, an association was observed between age and systemic arterial hypertension using the Chi - Square test. The most common type of tinnitus was wheezing and most individuals who reported feeling more than one type of tinnitus were hypertensive. Conclusion The results found and the literature suggest that systemic arterial hypertension may be an additional factor or an aggravating factor of preexisting factors in the generation of tinnitus, but not the primary cause.

Understanding Factors That Cause Tinnitus: A Mendelian Randomization Study in the UK Biobank

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the causal role of established risk factors and associated conditions to tinnitus and tinnitus severity in the UK Biobank.

DESIGN

The prospective cohort study with large dataset of >500,000 individuals. The analytical sample of 129,731 individuals in the UK Biobank of European descent. Participants were recruited from National Health Service registries, baseline age range between 37 and 73 years, response rate to baseline survey 6%. Participants were asked subjective questions about tinnitus and its severity. Previously observed associations (n = 23) were confirmed in the UK Biobank using logistic and ordinal regression models. Two-sample Mendelian randomization approaches were then used to test causal relationships between the 23 predictors and tinnitus and tinnitus severity. The main outcome measures were observational and genetic association between key demographics and determinants and two tinnitus outcomes (current tinnitus and tinnitus severity).

RESULTS

Prevalence of tinnitus was 20% and severe tinnitus 3.8%. The observational results are consistent with the previous literature, with hearing loss, older age, male gender, high BMI, higher deprivation, higher blood pressure, smoking history, as well as numerous comorbidities being associated with higher odds of current tinnitus. Mendelian randomization results showed causal correlations with tinnitus. Current tinnitus was predicted by genetically instrumented hearing loss (odds ratio [OR]: 8.65 [95% confidence interval (CI): 6.12 to 12.23]), major depression (OR: 1.26 [95% CI: 1.06 to 1.50]), neuroticism (OR: 1.48 [95% CI: 1.28 to 1.71]), and higher systolic blood pressure (OR: 1.01 [95% CI:1.00 to 1.02]). Lower odds of tinnitus were associated with longer duration in education (OR: 0.74 [95% CI: 0.63 to 0.88]), higher caffeine intake (OR: 0.89 [95% CI: 0.83 to 0.95]) and being a morning person (OR: 0.94 [95% CI: 0.90 to 0.98]). Tinnitus severity was predicted by a higher genetic liability to neuroticism (OR: 1.15 [95% CI: 1.06 to 1.26]) and schizophrenia (OR: 1.02 [95% CI: 1.00 to 1.04]).

CONCLUSIONS

Tinnitus data from the UK Biobank confirm established associated factors in the literature. Genetic analysis determined causal relationships with several factors that expand the understanding of the etiology of tinnitus and can direct future pathways of clinical care and research.

Subjective hearing ability, physical and mental comorbidities in individuals with bothersome tinnitus in a Swedish population sample

OBJECTIVE

This study investigates associations of subjective hearing ability, physical comorbidities, and mental comorbidities with bothersome (vs. non-bothersome) tinnitus and mediating effects between these influences.

METHODS

The Swedish LifeGene cohort was used to sample cross-sectional survey data (collected 2009-2016) of 7615 participants with tinnitus, 697 (9.2%) of whom rated their tinnitus as bothersome. Associations between bothersome tinnitus and subjective hearing ability, physical and mental comorbidities were investigated by separate age- and gender-adjusted multiple logistic regression models. Interrelationships between these associations were investigated by logistic mediation models.

RESULTS

Compared to non-bothersome tinnitus, bothersome tinnitus was associated with higher age, reduced subjective hearing ability, hearing-related difficulties in social situations, cardiovascular disease, chronic shoulder pain, thyroid disease, Ménière's disease, depression, anxiety syndrome, and social anxiety. Subjective hearing impairment or hearing-related difficulties mediated 13-36% of the effects of mental comorbidities on bothersome tinnitus. Depression or anxiety syndrome mediated 5-8% of most relationships between physical comorbidities and bothersome tinnitus. Depression, anxiety syndrome, or social anxiety mediated 2-4% of the effects of subjective hearing impairment or hearing-related difficulties on bothersome tinnitus.

CONCLUSION

Psychological factors, subjective hearing impairment, and hearing-related difficulties in social situations play key roles in predicting bothersome (vs. non-bothersome) tinnitus in a large population sample. Psychological factors contribute to explaining the impact of physical comorbidities and hearing-related effects on bothersome tinnitus. This highlights their transdiagnostic importance for aggravating varied physical symptom clusters. Interventions to improve or prevent high tinnitus burden should be interdisciplinary/multimodal and target auditory, physical, and psychological factors.

Association of Tinnitus with Depression in a Normal Hearing Population

Background and Objectives: The relationship between depression in tinnitus patients without hearing loss remains elusive. This study aimed to investigate the association between tinnitus and normal hearing and depression. Materials and Methods: Participants aged ≥12 years with normal hearing levels were recruited from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), 2009-2012. Participants with normal hearing were divided into the tinnitus and non-tinnitus groups. The relationship between tinnitus with normal hearing and variables including age, sex, depression, ischemic heart diseases, stroke, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, chronic renal disease, noise exposure, and depression were analyzed. The odds of depression for tinnitus with normal hearing were estimated using multiple logistic regression tests with complex sampling. Results: The results showed that 4.9% (107/2221) and 2.8% (290/10,316) of participants in the tinnitus group and the non-tinnitus group, respectively, experienced depression (p < 0.001). Sex, ischemic heart disease, dyslipidemia, noise exposure, and depression were positively related to tinnitus with normal hearing. The odds ratio of depression for tinnitus with normal hearing were 1.89 (95% CI 1.37-2.60, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Tinnitus with normal hearing was related to the female sex, ischemic heart disease, dyslipidemia, noise exposure, and depression. Depression had the highest odds of tinnitus with normal hearing.

Neurobiology of Stress-Induced Tinnitus

Emotional stress has accompanied humans since the dawn of time and has played an essential role not only in positive selection and adaptation to an ever-changing environment, but also in the acceleration or even initiation of many illnesses. The three main somatic mechanisms induced by stress are the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis), the sympathetic-adreno-medullar (SAM) axis, and the immune axis. In this chapter, the stress-induced mechanisms that can affect cochlear physiology are presented and discussed in the context of tinnitus generation and auditory neurobiology. It is concluded that all of the presented mechanisms need to be further investigated. It is advised that clinical practitioners ask patients about stressful events or chronic stress preceding the tinnitus onset and measure the vital signs. Finally, taking into account that tinnitus itself acts as a stressor, the implementation of anti-stress therapies for tinnitus treatment is recommended.

Hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension: analysis of the baseline data from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil)

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the association among hypertension, tinnitus, and sensorineural hearing loss and evaluate the influence of other covariates on this association.

METHODS

Baseline data (2008-2010) from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) were analyzed. Altogether, 900 participants were evaluated. The baseline assessment consisted of a 7-hour examination to obtain clinical and laboratory variables. Hearing was measured using pure-tone audiometry.

RESULTS

Overall, 33.3% of the participants had hypertension. Participants with hypertension were more likely to be older, male, and diabetic compared to those without hypertension. The prevalence of tinnitus was higher among hypertensive participants and the odds ratio for tinnitus was higher in participants with hypertension than in those without hypertension. However, the difference was not significant after adjusting for age. Audiometric results at 250-8,000 Hz were worse in participants with hypertension than in those without hypertension in the crude analysis; however, the differences were not significant after adjustment for age, sex, diagnosis of diabetes, and exposure to noise. No significant difference was observed in hearing thresholds among participants having hypertension for <6 years, those having hypertension for ≥6 years, and individuals without hypertension.

CONCLUSION

Hearing thresholds were worse in participants with hypertension. However, after adjusting for age, sex, diagnosis of diabetes, and exposure to noise, no significant differences were observed between participants with and without hypertension. A higher prevalence of tinnitus was observed in participants with hypertension compared to those without hypertension, but without significance after adjusting for age.

Gender Comparison of Psychological Comorbidities in Tinnitus Patients - Results of a Cross-Sectional Study

Background

In the last decades, research focused on gender-related features in patients with tinnitus has often led to controversial results. The complex clinical picture of tinnitus patients often consists of an interdependent relationship between audiological symptoms and co-occurrent psychological disorders, which can complicate the diagnostic evaluation.

Methods

Therefore, we studied 107 patients with tinnitus, investigating their psychological comorbidities in the light of gender differences. All patients were evaluated with ENT/audiological and psychological examination to consider presence/absence, type and gender distribution of psychopathological comorbidities. Patients completed questionnaires on tinnitus distress (Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, THI), anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory, BAI), depression (Beck Depression Inventory, BDI), metacognition (Metacognition Questionnaire-30, MCQ-30) and worry (Penn State Worry Questionnaire). The influence of gender on the relationship between tinnitus distress and psychological comorbidities was investigated with simple moderation analyses using the SPSS PROCESS macro.

Results

The total sample included 65 male and 42 female patients (60.7 vs. 39.3%), matched for age and duration of tinnitus. We found no significant differences for tinnitus distress (THI total score, THI subscales) and MCQ-30 subscales, except for the control over thoughts, where men showed significantly higher scores than women (p = 0.045). Also, in our sample women showed significantly higher values for depression (BDI total score, p = 0.019), anxiety (BAI total score, p = 0.010) and worries (PSQW total score, p = 0.015). Moderation analyses revealed a significant influence of gender on the relationship of tinnitus distress with depression: higher scores of tinnitus distress were associated with significantly elevated levels of depression amongst men. No further gender influences could be observed in our sample.

Discussion

In conclusion, our results indicate general gender differences for psychological comorbidities in tinnitus patients, with women reporting more depression, anxiety and worries. Men, on the other hand, showed a higher need to control their thoughts. Additionally, our results indicate that men might have more coping problems with increasing levels of tinnitus distress, leading to increased depressive symptoms. Nevertheless, several gender related aspects in tinnitus patients remain unclear, thus warranting the need future studies in this field.

The Presence of Physical Symptoms in Patients With Tinnitus: International Web-Based Survey

Background

Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, is a phantom perception of sound in the absence of overt acoustic stimulation. Many patients indicate that the perception of their tinnitus is not constant and can vary from moment to moment. This tinnitus fluctuation is one of the diagnostic criteria for somatosensory tinnitus (ST), a tinnitus subtype that is influenced by cervical spine or temporomandibular dysfunctions, although various factors have been reported to cause fluctuations in tinnitus, such as stress, anxiety, and physical activity.

Objective

The aim of this study was twofold: (1) to investigate the presence of physical symptoms in a large group of participants with tinnitus and (2) to investigate if these physical symptoms are more frequently present in a subgroup of participants with ST.

Methods

A Web-based survey, questioning the presence of physical symptoms in a convenience sample of participants with tinnitus, was launched on the online forum, Tinnitus Talk, managed by Tinnitus Hub. After a general analysis of the physical symptoms present in our survey population, we further analyzed the group of participants who were diagnosed by a physician (n=1262). This subgroup was divided into 2 groups, one group diagnosed with ST and another group diagnosed with other types of tinnitus.

Results

In total, 6115 participants with a mean age of 54.08 years (SD 13.8) completed the survey. Physical symptoms were frequently present in our sample of participants with tinnitus: 4221 participants (69.02%) reported some form of neck pain, 429 (7.01%) were diagnosed with temporomandibular disorders, 2730 (44.64%) indicated they have bruxism, and between 858 and 1419 (14.03%-23.20%) participants were able to modulate their tinnitus by voluntary movements. ST was diagnosed in 154 out of 1262 (12.20%) participants whose tinnitus cause was diagnosed by a physician. Symptoms referring to the known diagnostic criteria were evidently more present in the ST group than in the non-ST group. Additionally, participants with ST more often indicated a negative effect of a bad night’s sleep (P=.01) and light intensity exercise (P=.01).

Conclusions

Physical activity and movement (disorders) frequently affect tinnitus severity. Head-neck related symptoms are more frequently reported in the ST group, as is the ability to modulate the tinnitus by head or jaw movements. Additionally, participants with ST more often report fluctuations of their tinnitus and reaction to sleeping difficulties and low intensity exercise.

Tinnitus and sound intolerance: evidence and experience of a Brazilian group

Introduction

Tinnitus and sound intolerance are frequent and subjective complaints that may have an impact on a patient's quality of life.

Objective

To present a review of the salient points including concepts, pathophysiology, diagnosis and approach of the patient with tinnitus and sensitivity to sounds.

Methods

Literature review with bibliographic survey in LILACS, SciELO, Pubmed and MEDLINE database. Articles and book chapters on tinnitus and sound sensitivity were selected. The several topics were discussed by a group of Brazilian professionals and the conclusions were described.

Results

The prevalence of tinnitus has increased over the years, often associated with hearing loss, metabolic factors and inadequate diet. Medical evaluation should be performed carefully to guide the request of subsidiary exams. Currently available treatments range from medications to the use of sounds with specific characteristics and meditation techniques, with variable results.

Conclusion

A review on tinnitus and auditory sensitivity was presented, allowing the reader a broad view of the approach to these patients, based on scientific evidence and national experience.

Characterization of tinnitus in different age groups: A retrospective review

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to characterize tinnitus in affected patients.

Methods:

A retrospective review of medical records from 470 consecutive patients who visited a tertiary care hospital for evaluation of chronic subjective tinnitus between January 2009 and June 2010 was performed. Patients were divided into three subgroups based on age. Clinical, audiological, and psychological characteristics of each subgroup were analyzed.

Results:

Of the 470 patients evaluated, 85 were less than 40, 217 between 40 and 60, and 168 above 60 years of age. Most patients were men and complained of unilateral, acute high-pitched tinnitus. Most patients above the age of 40 years complained of loud and annoying tinnitus and had worse stress and severity scores.

Conclusions:

Chronic tinnitus in older adults is subjectively louder, more annoying, and more distressing than that found in younger patients. We recommend considering age in the patient management plan.

Positive Association between Tinnitus and Arterial Hypertension

INTRODUCTION

Tinnitus is the perception of noise in the absence of an external source and is considered by most authors as a multifactorial symptom. A systematic review concerning the association of tinnitus and systemic arterial hypertension retrieved suggestions of a positive association, but the articles included failed to perform a detailed analysis on the theme.

PURPOSE

To analyze the presence of arterial hypertension in tinnitus and non-tinnitus patients, to analyze differences between tinnitus impact and psychoacoustic measurements in hypertensive and normotensive patients, and to evaluate the association between the presence of tinnitus and the diverse antihypertensive drugs employed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This includes cross-sectional transversal study, comparing two groups of subjects (144 in the study group with tinnitus and 140 in the control group without tinnitus). Clinical, demographical, audiometrical, and psychoacoustics characteristics of the subjects were compared.

RESULTS

Hypertension prevalence in tinnitus subjects was 44.4% against 31.4% in subjects without tinnitus (p = 0.024). Positive associations with tinnitus were found with hypertension treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (p = 0.006), tiazidic diuretics (p < 0.0001), potassium-sparing diuretics (p = 0.016), and calcium channels blockers (p = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

There is an association between tinnitus and arterial hypertension. This association is particularly strong in older patients. Hypertension treatment with diuretics, ACE inhibitors, and calcium channels blockers were more prevalent in tinnitus patients, suggesting that an eventual ototoxicity of these drugs may be involved in tinnitus pathophysiology, a hypothesis that should be evaluated in further studies.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Association between Hypertension and Tinnitus

Hypertension has been suggested to be one possible risk factor of tinnitus, but the association between hypertension and tinnitus remains uncertain. The authors performed a meta-analysis of the existing studies on the association between hypertension and tinnitus. We performed literature search of studies using SinoMed, CNKI, WanFang, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Studies reported the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI) (or provided sufficient information for calculation) of the association between hypertension and tinnitus were included. A total of 19 eligible studies with 20 effect estimates were used in this study. They included 63,154 participants with age ranging from 14 to 92. The pooled OR, which was pooled using a random effects model, was 1.37 (95% CI: 1.16 to 1.62). There was no evidence of publication bias (p = 0.11 for Begg's test, p = 0.96 for Egger's test). By meta-regression, we found that study design may be one possible factor of heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis found that the result was stable. This study suggests that hypertension might be one risk factor of tinnitus, and hypertension prevention and control might be helpful in preventing tinnitus.