Objectives: Tinnitus is a common otologic symptom but, despite important advances in the evaluation and management of such symptom, ENTs often fail to address tinnitus properly. Some tinnitus patients report that tinnitus interferes with activities of daily living, such as reading, social interactions, sleep, concentrating on complex tasks. Anxiety and depression are current major disorders associated with tinnitus. Many theories exist regarding mechanisms of tinnitus origin. A number of publications favors the theory of discordant dysfunction of inner or outer hair cells of the organ of Corti. Nevertheless, some authors insist on the possible role of the central auditory pathways. Multiple functional connections between auditory system, limbic system, autonomic nervous system seem crucial in the development of tinnitus. The aim of this paper is to present a new approach in France of tinnitus treatment by cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
Material and methods: 96 patients with chronic and intense tinnitus were included in the study (38 females, 36 males, mean age 48 years). A CBT was developed after a clinical evaluation based on standardized questionnaires.
Results: The two main results are: (i) the importance of anxiety and depression in this population, (ii) the amelioration of tinnitus perception in 750f the included patients.
Conclusion: CBT shows promise as a treatment of tinnitus-related distress.