Associations Between Subjective Tinnitus and Cognitive Performance: Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses

Clarke, Nathan A.; Henshaw, Helen; Akeroyd, Michael A.; Adams, Bethany; Hoare, Derek J.

Abstract

Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of a corresponding external sound source, and bothersome tinnitus has been linked to poorer cognitive performance. This review comprehensively quantifies the association between tinnitus and different domains of cognitive performance. The review protocol was preregistered and published in a peer-reviewed journal. The review and analyses were reported according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis guidelines. Peer-reviewed literature was searched using electronic databases to find studies featuring participants with tinnitus who had undertaken measures of cognitive performance. Studies were assessed for quality and categorized according to an established cognitive framework. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed on various cognitive domains with potential moderator variables assessed where possible. Thirty-eight records were included in the analysis from a total of 1,863 participants. Analyses showed that tinnitus is associated with poorer executive function, processing speed, general short-term memory, and general learning and retrieval. Narrow cognitive domains of Inhibition and Shifting (within executive function) and learning and retrieval (within general learning and retrieval) were also associated with tinnitus.

Citation

Clarke, N. A., Henshaw, H., Akeroyd, M. A., Adams, B., & Hoare, D. J. (2020). Associations Between Subjective Tinnitus and Cognitive Performance: Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses. Trends in Hearing, 24, Article 233121652091841. https://doi.org/10.1177/2331216520918416

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 19, 2020
• Online Publication Date: May 21, 2020
• Publication Date: May 21, 2020
• Deposit Date: Mar 26, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: May 21, 2020
• Journal: Trends in Hearing
• Electronic ISSN: 2331-2165
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 24
• Article Number: 233121652091841
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/2331216520918416
• Keywords: tinnitus, cognition, cognitive performance, attention, memory, executive function
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/4204429
• Publisher URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2331216520918416