Association between chronic headache and tinnitus in an Arab community
in Southwest Iran: A population-based cross-sectional study

Authors

Mohammad Shahmansouri 1, Nader Saki 2, Bahman Cheraghian 3, Sara Saki 4, Zahra Rahimi 5

  1. Student Research Committee, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran. Electronic address: mohammad.shmn99@gmail.com.
  2. Hearing Research Center, Clinical Sciences Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran. Electronic address: ahvaz.ent@gmail.com.
  3. Alimentary Tract Research Center, Clinical Sciences Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran. Electronic address: Cheraghian2000@yahoo.com.
  4. Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Stanford School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA. Electronic address: ssaki@stanfordchildrens.org.
  5. Hearing Research Center, Clinical Sciences Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran. Electronic address: Zrahimi57@gmail.com.

Abstract

Objective: To examine the association between tinnitus and chronic headache in adults aged 35-70 years in southwestern Iran.

Methods: We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study using baseline data from 10,009 participants in the Hoveyzeh Cohort Study. Tinnitus was assessed by self-report, and chronic headache was classified according to the (ICHD-3). Multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess associations, adjusting for key covariates.

Results: The prevalence of tinnitus and chronic headache was 10.5% and 7.5%, respectively. Chronic headache was associated with higher odds of tinnitus (OR = 1.81; 95% CI: 1.48-2.22). Older age (OR = 2.23), dizziness (OR = 1.90), and head trauma (OR = 1.76) were also independent predictors. Male sex (OR = 0.77) and higher physical activity (OR = 0.69) were associated with lower odds.

Conclusion: Chronic headache is independently associated with tinnitus in adults, suggesting shared pathophysiological mechanisms and emphasizing the need for integrated clinical approaches.

Keywords: Epidemiology; Headache disorders; Tinnitus.

How to Cite

Shahmansouri M, Saki N, Cheraghian B, Saki S, Rahimi Z. Association between chronic headache and tinnitus in an Arab community in Southwest Iran: A population-based cross-sectional study. Am J Otolaryngol. 2026 Aug 25;47(5):104916. doi: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2026.104916. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42664622.

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Association between chronic headache and tinnitus in an Arab community in Southwest Iran: A population-based cross-sectional study

Tags: Epidemiology, Headache disorders, The Hoveyzeh cohort study, Tinnitus.