Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 4, 2025
07:05
A Protocol for the Administration of Real-Time fMRI Neurofeedback Training
Published on: August 24, 2017
11.2K
Functional impact of bothersome tinnitus on cognitive test performance
LaGuinn P Sherlock1,2, Douglas S Brungart1
1Army Hearing Program, U.S. Army Public Health Center, Aberdeen, MD, USA.
International Journal of Audiology
|May 24, 2021
Summary
Bothersome tinnitus impacts cognitive efficiency, affecting concentration and memory in individuals. This study highlights potential clinical applications for a tablet-based assessment of tinnitus effects on service members.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Audiology
Background:
- Tinnitus is a leading disability for US military veterans, often impacting concentration.
- Previous research indicates tinnitus negatively affects cognitive functions like attention and memory.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare cognitive performance in individuals with and without tinnitus.
- To assess the functional impact of tinnitus on service members' operational performance.
Main Methods:
- A tablet-based protocol was used for self-administered tests.
- Participants with tinnitus (n=30) and controls (n=30) were tested.
- Tests included selective attention (flanker task) and short-term memory (spatial letter location) under quiet, noise, and speech conditions.
Main Results:
- The tinnitus group exhibited a significantly larger flanker effect and shorter memory span.
- Cognitive efficiency was reduced in participants with tinnitus.
- Overall performance accuracy was similar between groups.
Conclusions:
- Bothersome tinnitus may impair cognitive efficiency rather than overall performance.
- A tablet-based protocol shows promise for clinical assessment of tinnitus's impact on concentration.
