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Associations Between Subjective Tinnitus and Cognitive Performance: Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses
Nathan A Clarke1,2, Helen Henshaw1,2, Michael A Akeroyd2
1NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre.
Trends in Hearing
|May 22, 2020
Summary
Tinnitus, the perception of sound without an external source, is associated with deficits in cognitive functions. This systematic review confirms tinnitus negatively impacts executive function, processing speed, and memory.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Tinnitus is the perception of sound without an external source.
- Bothersome tinnitus is frequently associated with diminished cognitive performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and quantify the association between tinnitus and various cognitive performance domains.
- To identify specific cognitive functions affected by tinnitus.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following PRISMA guidelines.
- Literature search of electronic databases identified studies on tinnitus and cognitive performance.
- Thirty-eight studies involving 1,863 participants were analyzed using random-effects meta-analyses.
Main Results:
- Tinnitus is significantly associated with poorer executive function, including inhibition and shifting.
- Impaired processing speed, general short-term memory, and general learning/retrieval were also observed.
- Specific cognitive domains like inhibition, shifting, and learning/retrieval showed significant associations with tinnitus.
Conclusions:
- Tinnitus is linked to widespread cognitive impairments, particularly in executive functions and memory.
- These findings highlight the significant impact of tinnitus on cognitive health.
- Further research may explore underlying mechanisms and potential interventions.
