Sex Differences in the Response to Different Tinnitus Treatment
Open accessAbstract
Introduction: Tinnitus is a complex symptom requiring a thorough multidisciplinary assessment to construct an individual’s tinnitus profile. The Antwerp University Hospital hosts a tertiary tinnitus clinic providing intensive, multidisciplinary tinnitus care in the form of combinational psychological treatment with either Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)/Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) or TRT/Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR), high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HDtDCS), and physical therapy treatment (in cases of somatic influence of the neck or the temporomandibular area). Several factors may contribute to therapy effect of which the role of gender has recently gained more interest. As such, the current manuscript explores gender differences in the outcome of different tinnitus treatments. Methods: Data on treatment outcome of four distinct tinnitus treatments (1. HDtDCS; 2. Orofacial physical therapy; 3. Combination TRT + CBT and 4. Combination TRT + EMDR) were pooled and compared. Treatment outcome was assessed via the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI). Participants completed the TFI at baseline, immediately after treatment and after 9 weeks (± 3 weeks) follow-up. To explore the effect of gender on different treatment outcomes, a linear mixed model was designed including Time point, Gender and Therapy Group as fixed factors as well as all interactions between these factors. Results: TFI scores improved significantly over time regardless of therapy group (p < 0.0001). A mean TFI decrease of at least 13 points was obtained by all participants except by those in the HD-tDCS. Significant interactions between Gender and Time point were identified in all groups except for the TRT +EMDR group. Female subjects improved more extensively than males in the HD-tDCS (p = 0.0009) and orofacial therapy group (p = 0.0299). Contrarily, in the TRT +CBT group, male participants showed a significant improvement whereas the mean TFI scores of female subjects remained on baseline levels (p = 0.0138). Conclusion: Our data suggest that male and female tinnitus patients seem to react differently to different therapy options. We strongly encourage further prospective studies to discern the relevance of gender in future guidance towards therapy.
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
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.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
TRT consists of directive counselling and sound therapy designed to reclassify tinnitus perception to a neutral signal and achieve habituation.
“TRT consists of directive counselling and sound therapy designed to reclassify tinnitus perception to a neutral signal and to achieve habituation of the tinnitus.37”
From SoundMind Trial: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial for online acceptance and commitment therapy and sound therapy for tinnitus (2024) · cites this paper as [37]
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Cites
The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale
Zigmond, A. S., & Snaith, R. P. (1983) · Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica · doi:10.1111/j.1600-0447.1983.tb09716.x · Cited by 47,139 · see citing works
Depression and quality of life in older persons: A review
Sivertsen, H., Bjørkløf, G. H., Engedal, K., Selbæk, G., & Helvik, A.-S. (2015) · Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders · doi:10.1159/000437299 · Cited by 14,152 · see citing works
Gender differences in stress and coping styles
Aznar, M. P. M. (2004) · Personality and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.paid.2004.01.010 · Cited by 1,954 · see citing works
Evidence-based guidelines on the therapeutic use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
Lefaucheur, J., Antal, A., Ayache, S. S., Benninger, D. H., Brunelin, J., Cogiamanian, F. M., Cotelli, M., Ridder, D. D., Ferrucci, R., Langguth, B., et al. (2016) · Clinical Neurophysiology · doi:10.1016/j.clinph.2016.10.087 · Cited by 1,872 · see citing works
The Tinnitus Functional Index: Development of a New Clinical Measure for Chronic, Intrusive Tinnitus
Meikle, M. B., Henry, J. A., Griest, S. E., Stewart, B. J., Abrams, H. B., McArdle, R., Myers, P. J., Newman, C. W., Sandridge, S., Turk, D. C., et al. (2012) · Ear & Hearing · doi:10.1097/aud.0b013e31822f67c0 · Cited by 792 · see citing works
Henry, J. A., Dennis, K. C., & Schechter, M. A. (2005) · Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research · doi:10.1044/1092-4388(2005/084 · Cited by 615 · see citing works
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) as a Method for Treatment of Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Patients
Jastreboff, P. J., & Jastreboff, M. M. (2000) · Journal of the American Academy of Audiology · doi:10.1055/s-0042-1748042 · Cited by 510 · see citing works
Psychometric Normalization of a Hyperacusis Questionnaire
Khalfa, S., Dubal, S., Veuillet, E., Perez-Diaz, F., Jouvent, R., & Collet, L. (2002) · ORL · doi:10.1159/000067570 · Cited by 488 · see citing works
Bueno, C. H., Pereira, D. D., Pattussi, M. P., Grossi, P. K., & Grossi, M. L. (2018) · Journal of Oral Rehabilitation · doi:10.1111/joor.12661 · Cited by 458 · see citing works
(2012) · Ear and Hearing · doi:10.1097/aud.0b013e3182597b3e · Cited by 434 · see citing works
Eileen Luders, A., Christian Gaser, B., Narr, K. L., & Toga, A. W. (2009) · Journal of Neuroscience · doi:10.1523/jneurosci.2261-09.2009 · Cited by 281 · see citing works
Jastreboff, P. J. (2007) · Progress in brain research · doi:10.1016/s0079-6123(07)66040-3 · Cited by 264 · see citing works
Villamar, M. F., Volz, M. S., Bikson, M., Datta, A., DaSilva, A. F. M., & Fregni, F. (2013) · Journal of Visualized Experiments · doi:10.3791/50309 · Cited by 262 · see citing works
Tinnitus and anxiety disorders: a review
Pattyn, T., Van Den Eede, F., Vanneste, S., Cassiers, L., Veltman, D. J., Van De Heyning, P., & Sabbe, B. C. G. (2016) · Hearing Research · doi:10.1016/j.heares.2015.08.014 · Cited by 233 · see citing works
Relationship between tinnitus severity and psychiatric disorders
Zöger, S., Svedlund, J., & Holgers, K.-M. (2006) · Psychosomatics · doi:10.1176/appi.psy.47.4.282 · Cited by 230 · see citing works
Schlaepfer, T. E., Harris, G. J., Tien, A. Y., Peng, L. W., Lee, S., & Pearlson, G. D. (1995) · Psychiatry Research Neuroimaging · doi:10.1016/0925-4927(95)02634-a · Cited by 227 · see citing works
Coping Strategies: Gender Differences and Development throughout Life Span
Meléndez, J. C., Mayordomo, T., Sancho, P., & Tomás, J. M. (2012) · The Spanish Journal of Psychology · doi:10.5209/rev_sjop.2012.v15.n3.39399 · Cited by 211 · see citing works
Factors influencing tinnitus loudness and annoyance
Hiller, W., & Goebel, G. (2006) · Archives of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery · doi:10.1001/archotol.132.12.1323 · Cited by 209 · see citing works
Role of emotion in cognitive-behavior therapy
Samoilov, A., & Goldfried, M. R. (2000) · Clinical Psychology Science and Practice · doi:10.1093/clipsy.7.4.373 · Cited by 203 · see citing works
A meta-analysis of multicultural competencies and psychotherapy process and outcome.
Tao, K. W., Owen, J. J., Pace, B. T., & Imel, Z. E. (2015) · Journal of Counseling Psychology · doi:10.1037/cou0000086 · Cited by 165 · see citing works
Cognitive-behavioral treatments for tinnitus: a review of the literature
Cima, R. F. F., Andersson, G., Schmidt, C. J., & Henry, J. A. (2014) · Journal of the American Academy of Audiology · doi:10.3766/jaaa.25.1.4 · Cited by 155 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Both CBT and TRT have proven to be effective in the treatment of tinnitus (Jastreboff and Jastreboff, 2000; Jastreboff, 2007, 2015; Cima et al., 2014).”
BackgroundA comprehensive database of published tDCS clinical trials (2005–2016)
Lefaucheur, J. (2016) · Neurophysiologie Clinique · doi:10.1016/j.neucli.2016.10.002 · Cited by 141 · see citing works
25 Years of tinnitus retraining therapy
Jastreboff, P. J. (2015) · HNO · doi:10.1007/s00106-014-2979-1 · Cited by 135 · see citing works
Frank, E., Schecklmann, M., Landgrebe, M., Burger, J., Kreuzer, P. M., Poeppl, T. B., Kleinjung, T., Hajak, G., & Langguth, B. (2011) · Journal of Neurology · doi:10.1007/s00415-011-6189-4 · Cited by 122 · see citing works
Seydel, C., Haupt, H., Olze, H., Szczepek, A. J., & Mazurek, B. (2013) · Ear and Hearing · doi:10.1097/aud.0b013e31828149f2 · Cited by 121 · see citing works
Avaliação da relação entre severidade do zumbido e perda auditiva, sexo e idade do paciente
Pinto, P. C. L., Sánchez, T. G., & Tomita, S. (2010) · Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology · doi:10.1590/s1808-86942010000100004 · Cited by 107 · see citing works
Prevalence of Leisure Noise-Induced Tinnitus and the Attitude Toward Noise in University Students
Gilles, A., Ridder, D. D., Hal, G. F. V., Wouters, K., Punte, A. K., & de Heyning, P. V. (2012) · Otology & Neurotology · doi:10.1097/mao.0b013e31825d640a · Cited by 107 · see citing works
Self-citationPsychometric normalisation of a hyperacusisquestionnaire
Khalfa, S. (2002) · ORL-J OTO-RHINO-LARYNGOL · Cited by 106 · see citing works
Brain Switches Utilitarian Behavior: Does Gender Make the Difference?
Fumagalli, M., Vergari, M., Pasqualetti, P., Marceglia, S. R. F., Mameli, F., Ferrucci, R., Mrakic‐Sposta, S., Zago, S., Sartori, G., Pravettoni, G., et al. (2010) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0008865 · Cited by 105 · see citing works
Decreased Speech-In-Noise Understanding in Young Adults with Tinnitus
Gilles, A., Schlee, W., Rabau, S., et al. (2016) · Frontiers in Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnins.2016.00288 · Cited by 102 · see citing works
Self-citationCorrelation between hyperacusis measurements in daily ENT practice
Meeus, O., Spaepen, M., Ridder, D. D., & de Heyning, P. V. (2010) · International Journal of Audiology · doi:10.3109/14992020903160868 · Cited by 98 · see citing works
Michiels, S., Sánchez, T. G., Oron, Y., Gilles, A., Haider, H. F., Erlandsson, S., Bechter, K., Vielsmeier, V., Biesinger, E., Nam, E., et al. (2018) · Trends in Hearing · doi:10.1177/2331216518796403 · Cited by 94 · see citing works
Self-citationGuideline Development Panel for the Treatment of PTSD in Adults, A. P. A. (2019) · American Psychologist · doi:10.1037/amp0000473 · Cited by 91 · see citing works
Seidman, M. D., & Jacobson, G. P. (1996) · Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America · doi:10.1016/s0030-6665(20)30367-4 · Cited by 85 · see citing works
Meric, C., Gartner, M., Collet, L., & Chéry-Croze, S. (1998) · Audiology and Neurotology · doi:10.1159/000013796 · Cited by 81 · see citing works
Seydel, C., Haupt, H., Szczepek, A. J., Klapp, B. F., & Mazurek, B. (2009) · Audiology and Neurotology · doi:10.1159/000231632 · Cited by 79 · see citing works
Gender Differences in Current Received during Transcranial Electrical Stimulation
Russell, M., Goodman, T. A., Wang, Q., Groshong, B. R., & Lyeth, B. G. (2014) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2014.00104 · Cited by 74 · see citing works
Men, women, and their outcome in psychotherapy
Ogrodniczuk, J. S. (2006) · Psychotherapy Research · doi:10.1080/10503300600590702 · Cited by 73 · see citing works
Further examination of the psychotherapy preference effect: A meta-regression analysis.
Swift, J. K., Callahan, J. L., Ivanovic, M., & Kominiak, N. K. (2013) · Journal of Psychotherapy Integration · doi:10.1037/a0031423 · Cited by 67 · see citing works
Cervical Spine Dysfunctions in Patients With Chronic Subjective Tinnitus
Michiels, S., Hertogh, W. D., Truijen, S., & de Heyning, P. V. (2014) · Otology & Neurotology · doi:10.1097/mao.0000000000000670 · Cited by 61 · see citing works
Self-citationFelmingham, K. L., & Bryant, R. A. (2012) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0027156 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Michiels, S., de Heyning, P. V., Truijen, S., Hallemans, A., & Hertogh, W. D. (2016) · Manual Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.math.2016.08.005 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
Self-citationValidation and translation of the Dutch tinnitus functional index.
Rabau, S., Wouters, K., & de Heyning, P. V. (2014) · PubMed · Cited by 57 · see citing works
The Effect of Physical Therapy Treatment in Patients with Subjective Tinnitus: A Systematic Review
Michiels, S., Naessens, S., de Heyning, P. V., Braem, M. J. A., Visscher, C. M., Gilles, A., & Hertogh, W. D. (2016) · Frontiers in Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnins.2016.00545 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
Self-citationImpact of Temporomandibular Joint Complaints on Tinnitus-Related Distress
Edvall, N. K., Gunan, E., Genitsaridi, E., Lazar, A., Mehraei, G., Billing, M., Tullberg, M., Bulla, J., Whitton, J. P., Canlon, B., et al. (2019) · Frontiers in Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnins.2019.00879 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
Effect of patient gender on outcome in two forms of short-term individual psychotherapy.
(2001) · PubMed Central · Cited by 56 · see citing works
Sex-Specific Association of Tinnitus With Suicide Attempts
Lugo, A., Trpchevska, N., Liu, X., Biswas, R., Magnusson, C., Gallus, S., & Cederroth, C. R. (2019) · JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery · doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2019.0566 · Cited by 54 · see citing works
Subjective tinnitus assessment and treatment in clinical practice
de Heyning, P. V., Gilles, A., Rabau, S., & Rompaey, V. V. (2015) · Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head & Neck Surgery · doi:10.1097/moo.0000000000000183 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Self-citationPsychotherapy length of stay and outcome: A meta-analysis of the effect of therapist sex.
Bowman, D., Scogin, F. R., Floyd, M. R., & McKendree-Smith, N. L. (2001) · Psychotherapy · doi:10.1037/0033-3204.38.2.142 · Cited by 48 · see citing works
Tinnitus with Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
Vielsmeier, V., Kleinjung, T., Strutz, J., Bürgers, R., Kreuzer, P. M., & Langguth, B. (2011) · Otolaryngology · doi:10.1177/0194599811413376 · Cited by 46 · see citing works
Effects of Electrical Stimulation in Tinnitus Patients: Conventional Versus High-Definition tDCS
Jacquemin, L., Shekhawat, G. S., de Heyning, P. V., Mertens, G., Fransén, E., Rompaey, V. V., Topsakal, V., Moyaert, J., Beyers, J., & Gilles, A. (2018) · Neurorehabilitation and neural repair · doi:10.1177/1545968318787916 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
Self-citationMichiels, S., van der Wal, A., Nieste, E., de Heyning, P. V., Braem, M. J. A., Visscher, C. M., Topsakal, V., Gilles, A., Jacquemin, L., Hesters, M., et al. (2018) · Trials · doi:10.1186/s13063-018-2903-1 · Cited by 38 · see citing works
Self-citationMichiels, S., de Heyning, P. V., Truijen, S., Hallemans, A., & Hertogh, W. D. (2017) · Musculoskeletal Science and Practice · doi:10.1016/j.msksp.2017.02.008 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Self-citationGender Differences Affecting Psychiatric Distress and Tinnitus Severity
Han, T. S., Jeong, J.-E., Park, S. N., & Kim, J. (2019) · Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience · doi:10.9758/cpn.2019.17.1.113 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Does Conservative Temporomandibular Therapy Affect Tinnitus Complaints? A Systematic Review
Michiels, S., Nieste, E., de Heyning, P. V., Braem, M. J. A., Visscher, C., Topsakal, V., Gilles, A., Jacquemin, L., & Hertogh, W. D. (2019) · Journal of Oral & Facial Pain and Headache · doi:10.11607/ofph.2055 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Self-citationDiagnostic Value of Clinical Cervical Spine Tests in Patients With Cervicogenic Somatic Tinnitus
Michiels, S., de Heyning, P. V., Truijen, S., et al. (2015) · Physical Therapy · doi:10.2522/ptj.20140457 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Self-citationEye movement desensitization and reprocessing as a treatment for tinnitus
Phillips, J. S., Erskine, S. E., Moore, T., Nunney, I., & Wright, C. M. (2019) · The Laryngoscope · doi:10.1002/lary.27841 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Luyten, T., de Heyning, P. V., Jacquemin, L., Looveren, N. V., Declau, F., Fransén, E., & Gilles, A. (2019) · Trials · doi:10.1186/s13063-018-3121-6 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Self-citationThe effect of cervical physical therapy in patients with cervicogenic somatic tinnitus
Michiels, S., Hertogh, W. D., Truijen, S., et al. (2016) · Manual Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.math.2016.05.180 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Self-citationBudge, S. L., & Moradi, B. (2019) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/med-psych/9780190843960.003.0005 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Low Evidence for Tinnitus Risk Factors: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Biswas, R., Genitsaridi, E., Trpchevska, N., Lugo, A., Schlee, W., Cederroth, C. R., Gallus, S., & Hall, D. A. (2022) · Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology · doi:10.1007/s10162-022-00874-y · Cited by 97 · see citing works
Effectiveness of telerehabilitation interventions for self-management of tinnitus: systematic review
Demoen, S., Chalimourdas, A., Timmermans, A., Van Rompaey, V., Vanderveken, O. M., Jacquemin, L., Schlee, W., Marneffe, W., Luyten, J., Gilles, A., et al. (2023) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/39076 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Self-citationHuang, X., Tang, D., Sun, S., & Li, H. (2024) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2023-080863 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
- Authors
- Van der Wal, A., Luyten, T., Cardon, E., Jacquemin, L., Vanderveken, O. M., Topsakal, V., Van de Heyning, P., De Hertogh, W., Van Looveren, N., Van Rompaey, V., Michiels, S., & Gilles, A.
- Affiliations
- University of Antwerp (BE)
- HOGENT University of Applied Sciences and Arts (BE)
- Corresponding author
- Michiels, Sarah
- Gilles, Annick
- ORCID
- Venue
- Frontiers in Neuroscience
- Publisher
- Frontiers Media SA
- Published
- 2020-05-12
- Volume
- 14
- Pages
- 422-422
- ISSN
- 1662-453X (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC7235341
- OpenAlex
- W3024031409
- Cited by
- 46
- References
- 60
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 1
- FWCI
- 2.38
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Frontiers in Neuroscience (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Document Server@UHasselt (UHasselt) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- VUBIR (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Sensory Systems › Hearing, Cochlea, Tinnitus, Genetics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Hearing Loss and Rehabilitation
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Speech and Hearing › Noise Effects and Management
- Keywords
- tinnitus, sex differences, gender differences in treatment response, tinnitus retraining therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, EMDR, transcranial direct current stimulation, Tinnitus Functional Index, treatment outcomes
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
