Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Treating Tinnitus

By Fatima T. Husain

This article is a part of the May/June 2020, Volume 32, Volume 3, Audiology Today issue.

Mindfulness-based interventions have recently gained popularity in treating and managing tinnitus-related symptoms, much as in other neurological and psychological conditions. Mindfulness-based therapies refer to a wide range of interventions where an individual’s “mindfulness” practice plays a prominent role.

Mindfulness, in this context, is defined as “paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally” (Kabat-Zinn, 1994). Mindfulness-based interventions have long been adopted by clinical psychologists to treat affective disorders, such as intractable depression and anxiety.

The two most popular mindfulness-based programs are mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). MBSR is an eight-week course of skill-based instruction and practice in mindfulness meditation, coupled with psychoeducation on stress and emotion (Bishop, 2002). An individual practices daily meditation outside the group-class setting, but the class allows for discussions designed to help enhance these meditative practices and mindful awareness (Brantley, 2005).

MBCT incorporates mindfulness exercises with aspects of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Here, as in MBSR, the format consists of an eight-week course of study, with weekly two-hour classes consisting of instruction and practice in mindfulness, use of mindfulness audio recordings between classes, and weekly readings from a workbook (Teasdale    et al, 2014).

The goal of such experiential mindfulness-based interventions is to teach participants to develop a new, more resilient relationship with thoughts, feelings, body sensations and, specifically, a new relationship with distress. The cognitive therapy component seeks to shift awareness of thoughts and a person’s relationship to these thoughts (Teasdale et al, 2000) to a healthier outlook.

A key motivation for employing MBCT as a potential treatment for tinnitus is also the observation that CBT is reasonably effective in treating distressing tinnitus (Cima et al, 2014; Hesser et al, 2011; Martinez-Devesa et al, 2010).