Auditory Training for Tinnitus Relief: A Scoping Review of Training Effectiveness

Abstract

Purpose: Auditory training interventions for tinnitus relief have been proposed as effective therapeutic approaches that incorporate auditory and cognitive stimulations to alleviate tinnitus symptoms. This study aimed to review research designs related to auditory training for tinnitus relief, identify the training tasks and methods utilized, and determine the key factors influencing the effectiveness of such training. Methods: This study utilized a scoping review methodology, following established frameworks for mapping key concepts and research gaps within the literature. Ten international studies published between January 1, 2010 and August 31, 2024, were analyzed using two databases: PubMed and Google Scholar. Results: A review of the final 10 studies selected from 5,357 articles revealed that auditory cognitive training for tinnitus relief effectively stimulated various cognitive domains such as attention, memory, and reaction processing speed through auditory-based interventions. This training promoted neuroplasticity and improved cognitive deficits, thereby enhancing the ability to reduce focus on or ignore tinnitus and alleviate the negative emotions associated with it. Conclusion: Changes in cognitive control functions, such as attention and memory, induced by auditory cognitive training for tinnitus relief may influence training outcomes. Training tasks designed to improve attention and working memory, which require complex cognitive processing, are expected to reduce tinnitus perception by facilitating attention toward sounds other than tinnitus signals.