Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 3, CD007330.
This systematic review investigates the effects of tinnitus retraining therapy on tinnitus severity and disability as measured by tinnitus-specific questionnaires in adults, 16 years and older, with subjective idiopathic tinnitus and no co-morbid conditions.
The Cochrane Collaboration
Through August 2009
Randomized controlled trials
1
A single, low-quality randomized controlled trial found tinnitus retraining therapy to be more effective than tinnitus masking. Compared to tinnitus masking, which had early benefits but minimal improvements beyond three months, tinnitus retraining therapy had "slower onset of benefit but ultimately much greater effect" (p. 7).<p>Additional benefit of tinnitus retraining therapy was "closely related to the degree of tinnitus problem: patients with a 'very big problem' showed much greater benefit at 18 months compared to those whose initial tinnitus problem was 'moderate' or 'big'" (p. 7). Further research is warranted from methodologically sound studies to determine the efficacy of tinnitus retraining therapy for adults with tinnitus.</p>
