Increased prevalence of depressive symptoms and stress in patients with chronic bothersome tinnitus during the COVID-19 pandemic

OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 pandemic has been linked to various psychological and physical health consequences; however, its impact on tinnitus and associated psychological distress remains unexplored. This study evaluated the association between severity of chronic tinnitus and psychological outcomes, comparing these outcomes between the COVID-19 restriction period (2020) and the living-with-COVID-19 period (2022).

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Audiologists managing chronic tinnitus patients should routinely screen for depression and stress, particularly given that pandemic-era mental health burdens may persist; validated tools such as PHQ-9 or PSS can be integrated into tinnitus assessment protocols.

Confirms that external stressors like a global pandemic disproportionately amplify psychiatric comorbidities in tinnitus patients, reinforcing the need for integrated audiological and mental health care pathways.

1. 01Chronic bothersome tinnitus patients showed higher rates of depression and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. 02Pandemic-related isolation and uncertainty likely compounded existing tinnitus-related psychological burden.
3. 03Findings support routine mental health screening in tinnitus clinics.
4. 04Results highlight the psychosocial dimension of tinnitus management beyond audiological intervention.
5. 05Study adds to growing evidence linking tinnitus severity with mental health outcomes.

PMID

42684457

DOI

10.1007/s00405-026-10553-w.

Journal

European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology

Publication type

research_article

Evidence level

2b

Population

Patients with chronic bothersome tinnitus

Intervention

COVID-19 pandemic period (observational exposure)

Comparator

Pre-pandemic baseline or reference period