When the Mind Meets the Ear: A Scoping Review on Tinnitus and Clinically Measured Psychiatric Comorbidities

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Audiology

Background:

• Tinnitus is a common condition linked to psychological distress.
• Co-occurrence of tinnitus with anxiety, depression, and sleep issues is frequently observed.
• The interplay between tinnitus and mental health comorbidities requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify associations between tinnitus and mental health comorbidities.
• To evaluate the impact of tinnitus treatments on psychiatric outcomes.
• To explore the influence of psychiatric treatments on tinnitus symptoms.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Cochrane, Google Scholar) from January 2014 to May 2025.
• Included studies focused on tinnitus with co-occurring psychiatric conditions and were published in English, French, or Spanish.
• Thirty studies were included, with data synthesized thematically and study quality assessed.

Main Results:

• Significant associations were found between tinnitus and psychiatric symptoms, including anxiety, depression, stress, insomnia, and psychosis.
• Tinnitus treatments (e.g., EMDR, CBT) sometimes led to secondary improvements in mental health.
• Psychiatric treatments (e.g., antipsychotics, psychotherapy) showed potential in reducing tinnitus severity in specific cases.

Conclusions:

• Tinnitus and psychiatric comorbidities frequently co-occur, indicating a significant relationship.
• Evidence suggests that interventions targeting one condition may positively impact the other.
• Future research should focus on integrated, longitudinal interventions for tinnitus and comorbid mental health conditions.