Open AccessCognitive Function in Nonbothersome Tinnitus
Author(s) -
Wineland Andre,
Pierce Kathy,
Piccirillo Jay F.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
otolaryngology–head and neck surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.232
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1097-6817
pISSN - 0194-5998
DOI - 10.1177/0194599811415823a234
Subject(s) - neurocognitive , tinnitus , stroop effect , audiology , medicine , psychology , cognition , psychiatry
Objective Tinnitus is a ubiquitous problem with no effective cure, yet only a minority of sufferers are “bothered.” Neurocognitive testing of these “bothered” patients reveals poor performance in verbal learning and attention. The goal of the present investigation was to assess the effects of non‐bothersome tinnitus on standardized neurocognitive tests. Method Cross‐sectional study of 13 nonbothersome tinnitus participants (age 18‐60 years) with subjective, unilateral or bilateral, non pulsatile tinnitus for at least 6 months’ duration, and a score 38). Each participant underwent comprehensive neurocognitive assessment. Results Thirteen participants (9 male) with a mean age of 55 years (range, 47‐60 years) were enrolled. Median THI was 9 (range, 0‐20), median tinnitus duration was 11 years (range, 2‐35 years), and all had hearing loss. A comprehensive neurocognitive battery was performed. Participants were found to score higher than a vetted normative sample on the Stroop Color Test ( P =.002) and Conners Continuous Performance Test (CCPT) Perseverations ( P =.032). However, this group performed worse on Stroop Word ( P =. 03) and Color‐Word (p =. 036) as well as CCPT‐Hit Reaction Time ( P =. 01), and Hit Standard Error Block Change ( P =. 041). Conclusion In this small sample of non‐bothersome tinnitus patients, neurocognitive testing revealed deficits in attention and processing speed, an increase in inattentiveness, and decline in performance over time.