An association between marijuana use and tinnitus.

OBJECTIVE: While some advocates have argued for marijuana as a treatment for tinnitus, the relationship between marijuana use and tinnitus is unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate associations between marijuana use and the prevalence, severity, and rate of occurrence of tinnitus.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of nationally representative data.

SETTING: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2012.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Statistical analysis was performed on data collected from 2705 non-institutionalized adults aged 20-69 who underwent audiometric testing and were administered questionnaires about hearing, drug use, current health status, and medical history.

RESULTS: The use of marijuana at least once per month for the previous 12 months was significantly associated with experiencing tinnitus during that 12-month month (X2 (1) = 19.41, p < 0.001). Subjects who used marijuana were more likely to experience tinnitus after accounting for covariables including age, gender, audiometric hearing loss, noise exposure history, depression, anxiety, smoking, salicylate use, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diabetes (OR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.02-3.01, p = 0.043). There were no associations between the severity or frequency of tinnitus occurrence and the quantity or frequency of marijuana use. Use of other substances such as alcohol, cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin was not associated with tinnitus.

CONCLUSION: Regular marijuana use is associated with prevalent tinnitus. However, no dose response between marijuana use and tinnitus was observed. The relationship between marijuana use and tinnitus is complex and is likely modulated by psychosocial factors.