The role of cognition in tinnitus

The role of cognition in tinnitus is difficult to ignore. First, tinnitus is likely to disrupt cognitive functioning, and there are some indications that tinnitus patients have impaired capacity to perform certain cognitive tasks. Second, evidence is emerging that tinnitus patients show cognitive bias in the way they handle information. Such information processing style suggests either depressive functioning, or anxious vigilance, or both. Finally, self-report measures of tinnitus distress all require conscious recollection of how tinnitus is perceived and the consequences of tinnitus. Such reports necessitate cognitive capacity.

To review the literature on the interface between cognitive function and tinnitus, with special regard to the role of different levels of information processing.

A selective systematic literature search was conducted using the search engines of Medline and Psychological Abstracts, and by hand search of conference proceedings.

There are yet relatively few published studies on cognitive functioning in tinnitus patients. Most research has been conducted by a few separate research groups. However, the available studies clearly implicate an important role of cognitive processes at different levels from basic cognitive function to more conscious appraisal of the consequences of tinnitus. Finally, a tentative model of the road from tinnitus generation to annoyance via cognitive function is suggested.