• Birgit Mazurek, Gerhard Hesse, Christian Dobel, Volker Kratzsch, Claas Lahmann, Heribert Sattel, and Guideline group.
• Tinnitus Center, Charité-University Medical Center, Berlin; Tinnitus Clinic, Bad Arolsen Hospital; Experimental Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Jena; Department of Hearing Loss, Tinnitus, and Vestibular Disorders, VAMED Rehabilitation Hospital Bad Grönenbach; Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Freiburg; Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Rechts der Isar Hospital, Technical University of Munich.
• Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2022 Apr 1; 119 (13): 219225219-225.

BackgroundChronic tinnitus is a commonly occurring symptom of the auditory system. Epidemiological studies assume a lifetime prevalence in men and women of 3.5% for chronic tinnitus requiring treatment. Almost 25% of all Germans have experienced at least one episode of tinnitus. No causal therapy is yet available, but numerous treatment strategies are being pursued. Rigorous scientific assessment of these procedures is essential.MethodsFor this exhaustive revision of the German clinical practice guideline, the literature in the medical databases PubMed and Cochrane Library, including existing guidelines from various countries, was systematically searched using keywords on the topic of chronic tinnitus. On the basis of the revised guideline, a separate guideline was written in language accessible to patients.ResultsChronic tinnitus is often associated with hearing loss, but the mental distress caused by the ear noise is another crucial element. Apart from expert counseling, the recommended treatment comprises psychotherapeutic interventions, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy (with effect sizes of 0.54 to 0.91 for reduction of the tinnitus-related distress), and measures to improve the hearing. There is insufficient evidence regarding the effects of drug treatment, sound and music therapy, and neuromodulation (magnetic stimulation or electrostimulation).ConclusionAlongside thorough and sound diagnosis and counseling, the principal treatment options for chronic tinnitus are specific cognitive behavioral therapy and expert psychotherapeutic interventions on an individual or group basis. Future-preferably interdisciplinary-research should evaluate the long-term effects of the treatment options, with particular attention to psychosomatic comorbidity.

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