[Tinnitus and cognitive-behavioral therapy: results after 1 year]

Tinnitus is a common auditory symptom that interferes with activities of daily living and is often associated with anxiety and depression.

This study included consecutive patients with chronic intense tinnitus for more than six months who were treated with Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT), a cognitive-behavioral therapy, after previous treatment failed and after a clinical evaluation based on standardized questionnaires, including the Tinnitus Handicap Questionnaire (THQ). One year after the end of the TRT, the treatment was evaluated by the same standardized questionnaires.

This prospective study included 96 consecutive patients (49 women, 47 men, mean age: 48 years). Tinnitus improved significantly in 75%, where significant improvement was defined as a final THQ score of less than 500 after CBT. This improvement varied according to initial THQ scores and was seen in: all patients with moderate (THQ<500), 70.3% of the patients with intermediate (5001001), and 34.8% of patients with severe (THQ>1000) tinnitus.

CBT shows promise as a treatment of tinnitus-related distress.