Tinnitus is associated with cognitive problems

The study was conducted by scientists from the Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Harbin (China). They analyzed data from 684 adults who took part in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. All participants were tested for tinnitus and passed tests for attention, speed of thinking and short-term memory.

The results were alarming. Those who complained of tinnitus had significantly lower cognitive test scores than participants without such symptoms. This was especially evident in tests of thinking fluency and the ability to switch attention.

Importantly, the association between tinnitus and cognitive decline persisted even after accounting for other factors such as age, education, stress levels, and general health.

The researchers emphasize: These findings confirm previous observations and add to the evidence that chronic tinnitus can affect not only the quality of life, but also the functioning of the brain.

Why is this happening? There is no exact answer yet. Perhaps the constant background sound drains the brain’s resources, making it difficult to concentrate and process information. Or both conditions — tinnitus and cognitive impairment — may be the result of deeper neural changes.

In any case, experts urge you not to ignore tinnitus and consult a doctor when it appears. It may not just be background noise, but a signal that the brain needs support.