The DOI matches its Crossref record; 43 of the 51 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Depression in Patients with Tinnitus: A Systematic Review
Open accessAbstract
Objective: Tinnitus is a condition that causes distress and impairment across cognitive, functional, and psychiatric spectra. In the psychiatric realm, tinnitus has long been associated with depression. To better characterize the co‐occurrence of depression and tinnitus, we performed a systematic review of the prevalence of depression among patients with tinnitus. Data Sources: We comprehensively examined original studies reporting the prevalence of depression in adult populations with tinnitus, as indexed in the PubMed and Web of Science databases and published from January 2006 to August 2016. Review Methods: All identified articles were reviewed independently by 2 researchers, with a third reviewer for adjudication. Included studies were evaluated for threats to validity across 3 domains—representativeness, response rate, and ascertainment of outcome—on a 4‐point modified Newcastle‐Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. Results: Twenty‐eight studies were included, representing 15 countries and 9979 patients with tinnitus. Among the included studies, the median prevalence of depression was 33%, with an interquartile range of 19% to 49% and an overall range of 6% to 84%. Studies were high quality overall, with a mean score of 3.3 (SD = 0.76), and 89% utilized a validated tool to ascertain depression. Conclusions: We conducted one of the largest contemporary comprehensive reviews, which suggests a 33% prevalence of depression among patients with tinnitus. Our review reaffirms that a substantial proportion of patients with tinnitus have depression, and we recommend that all who treat tinnitus should screen and treat their patients for depression, if present.
Overview
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Verification
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Citations
Cites
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement
Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., & Altman, D. G. (2009) · Journal of Clinical Epidemiology · doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2009.06.005 · Cited by 19,575
The validity of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale
Bjelland, I., Dahl, A. A., Haug, T. T., & Neckelmann, D. (2002) · Journal of Psychosomatic Research · doi:10.1016/s0022-3999(01)00296-3 · Cited by 9,779 · cited 1×
“’’ Nonetheless, numerous studies found a high degree of convergent validity among assessment measures.(46-48) For example, a recent study commissioned by the National Health Services (Scotland) examining depression severity in the primary care setting found a high concordance in classification across the Hospital Anxi…”
Herzog, R., Álvarez-Pasquin, M. J., Díaz, C., Del Barrio, J. L., Estrada, J. M., & Gil, Á. (2013) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/1471-2458-13-154 · Cited by 1,652 · cited 1×
“We therefore elected to apply a modified version of the NewcastleOttawa Quality Assessment Scale adapted for crosssectional studies to assess bias (see supplemental material, available in the online version of the article).(13) We assessed bias in each of the following domains on an overall scale of 0-4: representativ…”
Frequency of Depression After Stroke: A Systematic Review of Observational Studies
Hackett, M. L., Yapa, C., Parag, V., & Anderson, C. S. (2005) · Stroke · doi:10.1161/01.str.0000165928.19135.35 · Cited by 1,464
Smarr, K. L., & Keefer, A. L. (2011) · Arthritis Care & Research · doi:10.1002/acr.20556 · Cited by 971
Prevalence and characteristics of tinnitus among US adults.
Shargorodsky, J., Curhan, G., & Farwell, W. (2010) · American Journal of Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2010.02.015 · Cited by 915 · cited 1×
“Of these, 202 advanced to full-text review, of which 28 were ultimately included in the systematic review (Figure 1).(7,8,11,14-38) The included studies were published between 2007 and 2016 and represented 9979 patients with tinnitus from 15 countries (5 from Brazil, 5 from the United States, and 3 from Germany; 2 eac…”
Prevalence of depression in survivors of acute myocardial infarction: Review of the evidence
Thombs, B. D., Bass, E. B., Ford, D. E., Stewart, K. J., Tsilidis, K. K., Patel, U., Fauerbach, J. A., Bush, D. E., & Ziegelstein, R. C. (2006) · Journal of General Internal Medicine · doi:10.1111/j.1525-1497.2005.00269.x · Cited by 841 · cited 1×
“This review suggests that the burden of depression is comparable to that of other medical conditions, such as poststroke (33%) and myocardial infarction (31%) states.(40,41) Screening for depression among patients with stroke or myocardial infarction is routine, due to a known association with worse clinical outcomes.”
Prevalence, Severity, Exposures, and Treatment Patterns of Tinnitus in the United States
Bhatt, J. M., Lin, H. W., & Bhattacharyya, N. (2016) · JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery · doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2016.1700 · Cited by 460 · cited 2×
“6% of the adult population.(2) Populationbased studies of other nations demonstrated similar prevalence estimates ranging from 4.”
Tinnitus and its Risk Factors in the Beaver Dam Offspring Study
Nondahl, D., Cruickshanks, K., Huang, G.-H., Klein, B., Klein, R., Nieto, F., & Tweed, T. S. (2011) · International Journal of Audiology · doi:10.3109/14992027.2010.551220 · Cited by 278 · cited 1×
“Of these, 202 advanced to full-text review, of which 28 were ultimately included in the systematic review (Figure 1).(7,8,11,14-38) The included studies were published between 2007 and 2016 and represented 9979 patients with tinnitus from 15 countries (5 from Brazil, 5 from the United States, and 3 from Germany; 2 eac…”
Krog, N. H., Engdahl, B., & Tambs, K. (2010) · Journal of Psychosomatic Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2010.03.008 · Cited by 188 · cited 1×
“However, a 2010 study by Krog et al focused solely on the general population and found a weak link between tinnitus and depression.(45) To compromise on these polarizing perspectives, our data employed studies including populations of ‘‘help seekers’’ and ‘‘non–help seekers’’ to maximize generalizability.”
Flagged first, then by citations
8 of the 51 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.
Research works printed but not linked: 7
- Jalessi M, 2013, Tinnitus: an epidemiologic study in Iranian population, Acta Med Iran, 51, 886
- Folmer RL, 2008, Obsessive‐compulsiveness in a population of tinnitus patients, Int Tinnitus J, 14, 127
- Jacques D, 2013, Tinnitus and psychiatric comorbidities in liaison psychiatry analysis of three years in an audiophonology centre, Psychiatr Danub, 25, S102
- Robinson SK, 2008, A randomized controlled trial of cognitive‐behavior therapy for tinnitus, Int Tinnitus J, 14, 119
- Sireci F, 2012, Psychopathologic diseases in patients with tinnitus: a case‐control of an outpatient cohort, Acta Medica Mediterranea, 28, 167
- Brody DJ, 2018, Prevalence of depression among adults aged 20 and over: United States, 2013‐2016, NCHS Data Brief, 303, 1
- Cameron I, 2011, Assessing the validity of the PHQ‐9, HADS, BDI‐II and QIDS‐SR16 in measuring of depression in a UK sample of primary care patients with a diagnosis of depression
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Items 101–132 of 132
Impact of Education, Sex, and Residence on Tinnitus Distress, Depression, and Anxiety
Molnár, A., Mavrogeni, P., & Maihoub, S. (2026) · Audiology Research · doi:10.3390/audiolres16030078 · Cited by 1
“A previous study reported a median prevalence of 33% for depression in patients with tinnitus [4], while anxiety generally ranged from 28% to 45% [5].”
Gninenko, N., Senn, P., Haller, S., & Ville, D. V. D. (2026) · NeuroImage Clinical · doi:10.1016/j.nicl.2026.103960 · Cited by 1
“…considered as such after 3 months (Ridder et al., 2021), — is often accompanied by anxiety (Pattyn et al., 2016), depression (Ziai et al., 2017; Salazar et al., 2019), insomnia and sleep disturbances (Gu et al., 2021; Weber et al., 2022), or cognitive impairments (Tegg-Quinn et al., 2016; Neff…”
Efficacy and safety of stellate ganglion block for tinnitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Liang, J., Ming, H., You, Q., Xie, H., Zhou, J., & Xiong, Q. (2026) · Frontiers in Neurology · doi:10.3389/fneur.2026.1766506 · Cited by 1
“Simultaneously, the Vd value was also significantly increased (MD = 4.26 cm/s, 95% CI [3.70, 4.83], p 0.00001), reflecting reflexive dilation of the vascular system following treatment.”
InfluentialZhang, C.-G., Ran, T., Wang, Y.-C., Xiao, D., Wang, Y., Zhang, Y., & Guo, B. (2026) · Frontiers in Neurology · doi:10.3389/fneur.2025.1741302 · Cited by 1
Li, Q., Lai, H., Wu, J.-T., & Yang, H.-D. (2025) · Archives of gerontology and geriatrics (Print) · doi:10.1016/j.archger.2025.106090 · Cited by 1
Contribution of Tinnitus Burden and Hearing Loss to Geriatric Depression
Chamoun, J., Larson, P. J., Altaye, M., Tabangin, M. E., Sun, D. Q., & Gordon, S. A. (2025) · The Laryngoscope · doi:10.1002/lary.70228
“Hearing loss and tinnitus are well-recognized audiologic risk factors for depression with particularly increased prevalence in this growing population [3, 4].”
Tian, S., Chen, L.-Y., Huang, C., Liu, Z.-H., Wang, L.-Z., & Fan, Y.-B. (2024) · Medical Engineering and Physics · doi:10.1016/j.medengphy.2024.104257 · Cited by 1
Tinnitus Stepped-Care: A Model for Standardizing Clinical Services for Tinnitus
Henry, J. A. (2024) · Seminars in Hearing · doi:10.1055/s-0045-1804509 · Cited by 2
“8 39 Regardless, patients should be screened for these conditions.”
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation to treat chronic tinnitus: a feasibility study
Sickerdick, M., Uy, J., Serrada, I., & Hordacre, B. G. (2024) · Speech Language and Hearing · doi:10.1080/2050571x.2024.2378613
“This might, in part, stem from the impact tinnitus has on QOL and ADL (Salazar et al., 2019; Ziai et al., 2017).”
InfluentialIlić-Živojinović, J., Soldatović, I., Backović, D., Vukašinović, D., Babić, S., Tomanić, M., Ilić, B., & Vlaisavljević, Ž. (2023) · Noise and Health · doi:10.4103/nah.nah_27_23 · Cited by 1
“[27] Salazar et al. [28] published a review of the literature where median prevalence of depression among patients with tinnitus was 33%.”
Wigansari, G. P. A., Sani, A. F., Kurniawan, D., & Qimindra, F. R. (2022) · Journal of Neurosciences in Rural Practice · doi:10.25259/jnrp_35_2022 · Cited by 1
“[2] Seeking the etiology of PT is essential.”
Depression in Patients with Tinnitus: A Literature Review
Anggraini, Y. (2021) · Scientia Psychiatrica · doi:10.37275/scipsy.v4i2.94 · Cited by 1
Afzali, M., Weerasinghe, N., Patel, N., & Hayat, F. (2021) · doi:10.31149/ijie.v4i3.1352 · Cited by 1
SENSE OF COHERENCE AND TINNITUS ANNOYANCE IN ADULTS
Paluchowska, J., Fludra, M., Kobosko, Gos, E., & Skarżyńśki, H. (2021) · Journal of hearing science · doi:10.17430/jhs.2021.11.2.6 · Cited by 1
Executive Summary of the Clinical Practice Guideline on Tinnitus Update
Adams, M. E., Cramer, J. D., Tunkel, D. E., Lee, V. S., Bourgeois, J. A., Eshraghi, A. A., Fagelson, M. A., White, K. B., Juliano, A. F. T., Kim, H., et al. (2026) · Otolaryngology · doi:10.1002/ohn.70418
“24 Sleep disturbances are reported by more than half of patients and can amplify emotional distress and cognitive impairment.”
Shin, B. J., Suresh, V. A., & Borg, N. (2026) · Surgical Neurology International · doi:10.25259/sni_795_2026
“[60,113,151]”
Fuchten, D., Assouly, K. K. S., Stegeman, I., & Smit, A. L. (2026) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0358644
“Though the exact mechanism remains a topic of debate [8], the association between tinnitus and depression has consistently been observed.”
Han, S.-Y., & Kim, Y. H. (2026) · European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery · doi:10.1007/s00405-026-10553-w
Zhang, B., Wang, J., Zhu, J., Zhao, W., Yang, D., & Ni, G. (2026) · Hearing Research · doi:10.1016/j.heares.2026.109807
Najibi, A., Bazmi, S., Moradi, M., Mohammadi, Z., Kamel, A. A., Yazdanpanah, M. H., & Farjam, M. (2026) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2025-109272
Tungapindi, T., Pillai, S., Sharma, P. V., Vasudevan, H., Palaniswamy, H. P., Rajanbabu, K., Manchaiah, V. K. C., Beukes, E. W., & Andersson, G. (2026) · Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery · doi:10.1007/s12070-026-06591-9
“Despite the higher prevalence of depression in this population [9], the intervention was still able to significantly reduce depression levels.”
Han, J., Cao, Y., Zhang, C., Zhang, Q., Li, J., Xu, H., Zhao, X., & Yu, C. (2026) · Frontiers in Neurology · doi:10.3389/fneur.2026.1775859
“Beyond the auditory symptom itself, tinnitus is frequently associated with psychiatric and neurological comorbidities (6) such as anxiety, depression (7), insomnia (8, 9), and migraine (10).”
Lin, I.-F., Tsai, P., Wu, J., Lin, C.-Y., & Guo, Y. L. (2026) · Safety and Health at Work · doi:10.1016/j.shaw.2026.03.002
“It can significantly impact the quality of life for millions worldwide [4,5], partly through its associations with depressive symptoms [6,7].”
Sound Parameters for VR Masking Sound Treatment for Tinnitus
Mclean, B., Huckle, D., Wünsche, B. C., & Sanders, P. J. (2025) · Health Informatics and Knowledge Management Conference (HIKM) · doi:10.1145/3774816.3774839
“It can result in annoy-ance, discomfort, depression, insomnia, and anxiety — all ranging in severity [39, 58, 69].”
Seeing Depression Through A Cultural Lens
Fogel, B. S., & Jiang, X. (2025) · doi:10.1093/med/9780190850074.001.0001
Mismatch negativity in tinnitus patient in relation to cortisol level
Fayed, M. M., Nosair, N. A. E.-A., & Gabr, T. A. (2024) · The Egyptian Journal of Otolaryngology · doi:10.1186/s43163-024-00706-1
Beyond the Buzz: Cortical and subcortical brain changes in patients with pulsatile tinnitus
Remer, J., Narsinh, K., Caton, T., Lamboy, A., Tu-Chan, A., Raj, A., & Amans, M. (2024) · NeuroImage: Clinical · doi:10.1016/j.nicl.2024.103653
“This has facilitated an in-depth understanding of the continuous tone tinnitus and has shed light on potential neurological bridges linking tinnitus and psychiatric comorbidities (Salazar et al., 2019; Elgoyhen et al., 2015).”
BackgroundSelf-citationIs Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Therapy the Answer for Tinnitus: A Prospective Study
Rattan, A., Goel, K., Sharma, D., Rajdev, S., Sahni, D., Yadav, V., & Bhagat, S. (2024) · Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery · doi:10.1007/s12070-024-04778-6
“A functional Magnetic imaging (fMRI) has revealed deactivation of limbic system-amyg-dala, hippocampus, parahippocampal gyrus after TENS akin to its mechanism for pain and epilepsy treatment [23].”
Kukreja, Y., Lee, H.-Y., Morsy, M., & Niraj, G. (2024) · Otology and Neurotology · doi:10.1097/mao.0000000000004118
Tinnitus News, Review, and Update: 2024
Beck, D. L., & Darrow, K. N. (2024) · The Hearing Journal · doi:10.1097/01.hj.0001006564.87384.9a
Manchaiah, V. K. C., Brazelton, A., Rodrigo, H., Beukes, E. W., Fagelson, M. A., Andersson, G., & Trivedi, M. V. (2021) · American Journal of Audiology · doi:10.1044/2021_aja-21-00062
Hu, Y.-J. (2026) · Advances in Clinical Medicine · doi:10.12677/acm.2026.1693171
Metadata
- Authors
- Salazar, J. W., Meisel, K., Smith, E. R., Quiggle, A., McCoy, D. B., & Amans, M. R.
- Affiliations
- University of California, San Francisco (US)
- Medical College of Wisconsin (US)
- Corresponding author
- Amans, Matthew R.
- Venue
- Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2019-03-26
- Volume
- 161
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 28-35
- ISSN
- 0161-6439 (ISSN-L)
- 0194-5998
- 1097-6817
- PMC
- PMC7721477
- OpenAlex
- W2924425350
- Cited by
- 167
- References
- 51
- Citations by year
- 2026: 18 · 2025: 40 · 2024: 33 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 24 · 2021: 24 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 3
- FWCI
- 2.64
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Otolaryngology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- eScholarship (California Digital Library) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (R21DC016087)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Sensory Systems › Hearing, Cochlea, Tinnitus, Genetics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Speech and Hearing › Hearing Loss and Rehabilitation
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Vestibular and auditory disorders
- Keywords
- tinnitus, depression, depression prevalence, comorbidities, psychiatric comorbidity, depression screening, depression treatment
- MeSH terms
- Depression, Humans, Tinnitus, Prevalence
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
