['Tinnitus is a common and disturbing condition, reported by 10% to 20% of the general population.', 'The authors sought to determine personality characteristics associated with tinnitus patients versus a control group of ear-nose-throat (ENT) patients without tinnitus.', 'Adult chronic tinnitus sufferers (N=265) and ENT patients without tinnitus (N=265) participated in a cross-sectional study. The authors evaluated personality characteristics with tests for distressed personality (Type D), neuroticism, extraversion, and emotional stability.', 'As compared with control subjects, tinnitus patients had statistically significant and clinically relevant higher levels of neuroticism, negative affectivity, and social inhibition, on one hand, and lower levels of extraversion and emotional stability on the other hand. Also, tinnitus patients were more likely to have a type D personality.'] Is the distressed ( Type D ) personality independently associated with tinnitus : a case-control study?