Scientific information about tinnitus

This group was created to gather, organize, and discuss exclusively evidence-based scientific knowledge about tinnitus. In a field often marked by a broad spectrum of explanations, ranging from popular beliefs and so-called miracle remedies to rigorous experimental research, this space adopts a clear and deliberate criterion: only scientifically grounded information will be addressed.

The content shared in this group will be based on peer-reviewed scientific articles, systematic reviews, clinical consensus statements, and established theoretical models from otoneurology, neuroscience, psychology, audiology, and related disciplines. Posts will include concise syntheses of scientific papers, direct links to original publications, and, when appropriate, critical discussions of methodologies, hypotheses, and limitations.

This is not a therapeutic group, nor a space for personal testimonials or emotional support. It is intended as an academic and reflective environment, dedicated to qualified exchange of ideas, conceptual clarification, and the development of a precise and responsible understanding of tinnitus as a neurophysiological and psychological phenomenon.

The goal is to raise the level of discourse, promote scientific literacy in tinnitus, and provide a reliable knowledge base that supports both clinical practice and future research. Dialogue is welcome, provided it is grounded in data, references, and critical reasoning.

This group is part of the author’s official page and reflects a commitment to science, conceptual clarity, and respect for the complexity of tinnitus as a clinical and neuropsychological condition.

Sodium salicylate, a substance often used in research to induce tinnitus, affects how certain brain cells communicate. This study showed that it reduces the activity of inhibitory neurons that normally act as a braking system in the brain. These inhibitory neurons use GABA, a neurotransmitter that helps keep neural activity balanced.

When this inhibitory control is weakened, other neurons, especially those that release serotonin in a brain region called the dorsal raphe nucleus, become more active. Importantly, sodium salicylate does not directly stimulate the serotonin neurons. Instead, it increases their activity indirectly by removing the normal inhibitory influence acting on them.

This imbalance between inhibition and excitation may help explain why serotonin levels increase in parts of the brain involved in hearing during tinnitus. The findings support the idea that tinnitus is linked not only to the auditory system itself, but also to broader brain networks that regulate emotion, arousal,…

A randomized controlled clinical trial published in Behaviour Research and Therapy (2014) evaluated the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for hyperacusis, a condition marked by reduced tolerance to everyday sounds. Sixty patients were randomly assigned to either a CBT intervention or a waiting-list control group. The CBT program targeted maladaptive beliefs, fear responses, avoidance behaviors, and emotional distress associated with sound intolerance.

The findings showed that patients receiving CBT experienced significant improvements in sound tolerance, measured by increased loudness discomfort levels, along with reductions in hyperacusis severity, anxiety, depression, and sound-related fear. Effect sizes ranged from moderate to large. When the control group later received the same treatment, similar benefits were observed. Importantly, treatment gains were maintained at 12-month follow-up, indicating lasting therapeutic effects.

The study concludes that CBT is an evidence-based and durable treatment option for hyperacusis, reinforcing the role of psychological and cognitive mechanisms in sound intolerance conditions.…

Tinnitus, a pervasive auditory condition marked by the perception of sound without an external source, continues to challenge both patients and healthcare providers.

As of 2025, advancements in treatment modalities have led to an integrative approach encompassing pharmacotherapy, neuromodulation techniques, behavioral therapies, and novel interventions. This synthesis reviews several articles published in 2025 that contribute to the evolving landscape of tinnitus management.

Pharmacotherapy Approaches

Li et al. conducted a systematic review assessing pharmacotherapy options for subjective tinnitus. They highlighted the efficacy of various treatments, including scalp acupuncture, which showed significant clinical efficacy in the management of tinnitus symptoms through a meta-analysis involving numerous studies (Li et al., 2025). In a related discourse, Aazh discussed the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for managing tinnitus-related distress, underscoring its positioning as an evidence-based intervention (Aazh, 2025). These findings advocate for a personalized treatment paradigm, wherein pharmacological options may be enhanced or supplemented…