La influencia del estrés laboral en el desarrollo de acúfenos: revisión de alcance

Abstract

This monograph, developed as a scoping review, analyzes the influence of occupational stress on the development of tinnitus, understood as an auditory perception without an external sound source. This work stems from the need to systematize the available information on a relationship that, although not fully established as causal, has shown significant evidence of association. Three specific objectives were established: to identify the proposed physiological mechanisms linking occupational stress with tinnitus, to compare findings from recent studies, and to recognize the relationship between both variables according to recent research. The methodology involved a literature review of publications from 2020 to 2024, using defined inclusion criteria and searches in databases such as Scielo, ScienceDirect, and university repositories. The information was organized using Excel matrices to facilitate analysis. The results indicate that chronic workplace stress affects the autonomic nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, generating hormonal imbalances (especially cortisol) that impact auditory neural plasticity. Furthermore, the involvement of the limbic system in the chronification of tinnitus was observed, particularly when there are underlying conditions such as anxiety or emotional disorders. In the discussion, convergence among clinical, experimental, and qualitative studies is highlighted, all recognizing stress as a significant risk factor in the onset and worsening of tinnitus. Gaps in the national literature were identified, emphasizing the need to expand research in Latin American contexts. In conclusion, although direct causality has not been established, a significant correlation exists between occupational stress and tinnitus. These findings encourage future research and suggest that stress management should be considered as part of preventive strategies in occupational health.