[Stress and suffering from tinnitus-a psychosomatic approach]

Area of Science:

• Psychoneuroimmunology
• Behavioral Medicine
• Audiology

Context:

• Tinnitus is frequently linked to stress, prompting extensive research into their relationship.
• Existing studies employ diverse conceptual frameworks and psychometric tools to assess stress and tinnitus.
• A critical review of literature is necessary to understand the complex interplay between stress and tinnitus symptoms.

Purpose:

• To trace the evolution of stress concepts, from Selye's general adaptation syndrome to Lazarus's transactional stress model.
• To critically evaluate existing literature on the influence of stress on tinnitus, identifying methodological limitations.
• To propose a framework for understanding and managing stress in tinnitus patients.

Summary:

• The review examines the application of Selye's and Lazarus's stress models to tinnitus patients.
• It critically analyzes studies investigating the link between psychosocial stress and tinnitus, comparing it to occupational noise exposure.
• A key finding is the difficulty in empirically verifying stress as a direct cause of tinnitus using current psychometric methods.

Impact:

• Highlights the need for refined methodologies to accurately measure stress's impact on tinnitus.
• Suggests that psychosocial stress may be as significant as occupational noise in tinnitus etiology.
• Outlines a potential stress management therapeutic approach for individuals with tinnitus.