Behandling av tinnitus med kognitiv beteendeterapi – en litteraturstudie

Abstract

Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of an external source. 10-15 % of the population is experiencing tinnitus. There are different causes such as damage to the inner ear, musculartension and stress. Tinnitus affects many different aspects of an individuals life and often disturbs everyday activities. There are different treatments for tinnitus. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are one of these. The aim of CBT for tinnitus is to decrease tinnitusdistress and is not pointed at decreasing the sound. The treatment aims at changing negative thougts, attitudes and behaviors. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of CBT for tinnitus and eventual predictive factors that can effect the outcome of the treatment. The method that was chosen was a litterature study and our material was collected trough scientific databases. Included articels where studies of the treatmenteffects of CBT for tinnitus. The result of the study shows that CBT decreases tinnitusdiscomfort (distress, annoyance) but not self-rated stresslevel. The investigation of other symptoms did not giva a concordant result. The longterm treatmenteffect on handicapexperience remain. The investigation of longtermeffect on other symptoms did not giva a concordant result. We could not establish if predictive factors such as personality or gender affects the outcome of the treatment. The discussion adress among other things validityproblems, possibilitys for the audiologist in the field of CBT and the patients own responsibility.