Researchers have been able to demonstrate the hereditary nature of certain forms of tinnitus, and bilateral tinnitus has been shown to depend on genetic factors, particularly in men.

The twin study, which is published in the journal Genetics in Medicine , was conducted by researchers at Karolinska Institutet together with colleagues from the European research network TINNET.

Using data from the Swedish Twin Registry, researchers at Karolinska Institutet have found evidence that in some cases tinnitus has genetic causes.

“We’ve been able to show that different forms of tinnitus have a significant heritability and thus a dominant genetic influence over environmental factors,” says Christopher R. Cederroth at Karolinska Institutet’s Department of Physiology and Pharmacology.

When the researchers first examined all forms of tinnitus they made the same conclusions on heritability as others have reported. It was only after grouping the subjects by sex and unilateral/bilateral tinnitus that they uncovered the genetic correlation.

“This result is surprising and unexpected as it shows that, unlike the conventional view of tinnitus being driven by environmental factors, there is a genetic influence for bilateral tinnitus which is more pronounced in men,” says Dr Cederroth.

Their discovery also shows that bilateral and unilateral tinnitus constitute two separate sub-groups, only one of which is influenced by genetic factors. This, claims Dr Cederroth, not only has considerable clinical relevance but is also important from a public health perspective:

“Tinnitus sufferers need better care and treatment than they’re currently getting. We need more genetic studies and a better molecular understanding of its generation, which could open unforeseen avenues to drug development.”

Christopher Cederroth. Photo: Annika af Klercker