The impact of tinnitus on cognitive performance in normal-hearing individuals

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the previously reported differences in cognitive performance as assessed using a Stroop paradigm between individuals with and without tinnitus is present in normal-hearing individuals. Design: Participants completed audiometric evaluation, a visual Stroop test, as well as the Swedish version of the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) questionnaire. In addition individuals with tinnitus participated in a short interview regarding tinnitus characteristics as well as a follow up data collection of the tinnitus questionnaire (TQ). Study sample: Forty individuals participated in this study. Twenty had tinnitus (tinnitus group) and 20 had not (control group). The groups were age- and sex-matched and all participants had normal hearing thresholds (20 dB HL or better). Results: No differences in terms of cognitive performances were found between individuals with tinnitus compared to individuals without tinnitus. Conclusion: In contrast to previous studies of hearing-impaired subjects with tinnitus, the results of the present found no signs of cognitive interference in normal-hearing subjects with tinnitus when assessed using intensive short duration tasks.