Ringing in the ears is made bearable through cognitive behavioral therapy

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Cognitive behavioral therapy can help patients to cope with tinnitus, according to a new review.
Around 18 per cent of people in industrialized countries suffer from tinnitus, or ringing in the ears. Most do not seek treatment but just deal with the condition. But up to three per cent of those with tinnitus are badly affected, and experience sleep disturbances, anxiety and depression.

These people can be helped by cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) according to a new report from the Cochrane Collaboration, an international organization that evaluates medical treatments. They looked at six clinical trials involving 285 patients. CBT works on changing patients' beliefs about their condition. In the case of tinnitus, CBT was able to improve quality of life and the way patients felt - even though the noise itself did not decrease. CBT has shown success in treating depression but it is not well known for the treatment of tinnitus. This study suggests that it could be a positive way of helping patients with tinnitus cope with their condition.

Source
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007 Issue 1

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