The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation has released an updated clinical practice guideline on tinnitus, emphasizing a personalized, evidence-based approach to evaluation and management. The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) has published an updated Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) for tinnitus, offering clinicians revised, evidence-based...
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Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
Audiologists should review the 16 updated action statements — particularly the recommendations to screen for mental health distress, offer sound enrichment and CBT, and avoid routine imaging and supplement prescriptions for tinnitus patients.
An updated, multi-society-endorsed clinical practice guideline directly shapes the standard of care for tinnitus management across audiology and otolaryngology practice.
- 01AAO-HNSF 2026 guideline update covers adults 18+ with persistent (≥6 months), bothersome tinnitus.
- 0216 key action statements include hearing evaluation, mental health screening for distress and self-harm, and CBT as a recommended treatment.
- 03Sound enrichment and bimodal neuromodulation are listed as treatment options.
- 04Routine medications, supplements, rTMS, and unnecessary imaging are explicitly flagged as things to avoid.
- 05Guideline is based on 28 prior guidelines, 223 systematic reviews, and 362 RCTs; endorsed by multiple professional societies including ASHA, AAA, and ATA.
10–15% of adults are affected by tinnitus, with 1–2% experiencing severely bothersome symptoms.
guidelinesupportedMore than 50 million people in the U.S. experience tinnitus.
guidelinesupportedUp to 1 in 3 tinnitus patients may have major depression.
guidelinepartially supportedCBT is recommended as a treatment for bothersome tinnitus.
guidelinesupportedRoutine medications, supplements, rTMS, and unnecessary imaging should be avoided for tinnitus management.
guidelinesupportedTinnitus is the top service-connected disability among U.S. veterans, with nearly 3 million compensated.
guidelinesupported