Reconsider cognitive behavioral therapy for tinnitus
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- Reviewed by Anthony L. Komaroff, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Health Letter; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
Tinnitus — a phantom ringing, hissing, or whooshing in the ears — is a common and very annoying problem for which cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) often is prescribed. CBT helps you redirect negative thoughts and emotions that can make tinnitus seem louder. But CBT can be time-consuming and expensive (it isn't always covered by insurance). A new study published online Aug. 1, 2024, by JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery found that CBT is best reserved for people with severe symptoms. Researchers asked 88 patients (average age 59) to answer questions about their tinnitus symptoms and quality of life, and take part in eight sessions of CBT over 10 weeks. Compared with participants who had the least severe tinnitus symptoms and related anxiety, those with the most had the best response to CBT, experiencing a significantly greater reduction of tinnitus severity. There are always exceptions: some people with only mild or moderate tinnitus do get relief from CBT. But it's worth knowing that CBT is most likely to be beneficial when the tinnitus is most severe.
Image: © Basak Gurbuz Derman /Getty Images
About the Author
Heidi Godman, Executive Editor, Harvard Health Letter
About the Reviewer
Anthony L. Komaroff, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Health Letter; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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