Sarah M. Theodoroff, PhD, is a research investigator/audiologist at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Research and Development National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research (NCRAR) at the VA Portland Health Care System. She is also an assistant professor in the Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Oregon.
Tinnitus management is nuanced and many approaches can be taken, some supported by more evidence than others. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) repeatedly has been shown to be an effective approach to help patients manage their tinnitus distress. This article provides a general overview of what CBT entails and when to consider referring your tinnitus patients to a health-care provider who specializes in CBT.