Alain Londero1, Philippe Peignard, David Malinvaud, Paul Avan, Pierre Bonfils. 1. Laboratoire de Recherche sur l'Audition, Unité CNRS UPRESSA 7060, Département d'ORL et de Chirurgie Cervico-Faciale, Université Paris-Descartes, Faculté de Médecine, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Paris.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Tinnitus is a common auditory symptom that interferes with activities of daily living and is often associated with anxiety and depression. METHOD: This study included consecutive patients with chronic intense tinnitus for more than six months who were treated with Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT), a cognitive-behavioral therapy, after previous treatment failed and after a clinical evaluation based on standardized questionnaires, including the Tinnitus Handicap Questionnaire (THQ). One year after the end of the TRT, the treatment was evaluated by the same standardized questionnaires. RESULTS: This prospective study included 96 consecutive patients (49 women, 47 men, mean age: 48 years). Tinnitus improved significantly in 75%, where significant improvement was defined as a final THQ score of less than 500 after CBT. This improvement varied according to initial THQ scores and was seen in: all patients with moderate (THQ<500), 70.3% of the patients with intermediate (500<THQ>1001), and 34.8% of patients with severe (THQ>1000) tinnitus. CONCLUSION: CBT shows promise as a treatment of tinnitus-related distress.
INTRODUCTION:Tinnitus is a common auditory symptom that interferes with activities of daily living and is often associated with anxiety and depression. METHOD: This study included consecutive patients with chronic intense tinnitus for more than six months who were treated with Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT), a cognitive-behavioral therapy, after previous treatment failed and after a clinical evaluation based on standardized questionnaires, including the Tinnitus Handicap Questionnaire (THQ). One year after the end of the TRT, the treatment was evaluated by the same standardized questionnaires. RESULTS: This prospective study included 96 consecutive patients (49 women, 47 men, mean age: 48 years). Tinnitus improved significantly in 75%, where significant improvement was defined as a final THQ score of less than 500 after CBT. This improvement varied according to initial THQ scores and was seen in: all patients with moderate (THQ<500), 70.3% of the patients with intermediate (500<THQ>1001), and 34.8% of patients with severe (THQ>1000) tinnitus. CONCLUSION: CBT shows promise as a treatment of tinnitus-related distress.