A preliminary investigation of potential cognitive performance decrements in non-help-seeking tinnitus sufferers. (February 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jackson, James G.; Coyne, Iain J.; Clough, Peter J.
• Is Part Of: International journal of audiology. Volume 53:Number 2(2014:Feb.)
• Page Start: 88
• Page End: 93
• Publication Date: 2014-02
• Subjects: Audiology -- Periodicals; Hearing disorders -- Periodicals; Deafness -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Hearing Disorders -- Periodicals; Hearing -- Periodicals; 617.8
• DOI: 10.3109/14992027.2013.846481
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1499-2027

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Objective:</italic> The aim of the study was to investigate the possible impact of tinnitus on the performance of challenging cognitive tasks. <italic>Design</italic>: Participants completed the hospital anxiety and depression scale and completed two cognitive tasks: the Vienna determination task and a variant of the Stroop paradigm. In addition, tinnitus sufferers completed the subjective tinnitus severity scale. <italic>Study sample</italic>: Thirty-three tinnitus sufferers and 33 controls took part in the study (n = 66). <italic>Results</italic>: Tinnitus sufferers were no more depressed nor anxious than controls, but they performed less well on both cognitive tasks. <italic>Conclusions</italic>: Possible causes and implications of these performance decrements are discussed, with particular attention given to the possibility that subjective distress is an important moderating factor in tinnitus sufferers.</p> </abstract>