Tinnitus and inhibitory control in adults with bilateral hearing loss: A Stroop study in hearing aid users

This cross-sectional study examined whether tinnitus was associated with verbal information-processing speed and inhibitory control in adults with bilateral hearing loss. It included 132 bilateral hearing aid users with moderately severe or severe hearing loss: 66 with tinnitus and 66 without tinnitus....

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✦ The floor

Discussion

Signed responses from readers of the wire.

✦ Clinical Takeaway ✦

If the study finds significant associations, audiologists should be aware that tinnitus in hearing aid users may co-occur with slower information processing and weaker attention control; however, the cross-sectional design cannot establish causation, so no direct clinical protocol change is indicated yet.

✦ Why It Matters ✦

Documenting cognitive differences associated with tinnitus in hearing aid users could support broader cognitive screening in this population and inform counseling about the mental demands of living with tinnitus.

✦ Key Points ✦

01Cross-sectional study using the Stroop color-word task to assess cognitive function in hearing aid users with and without tinnitus.
02Focuses on verbal information-processing speed and inhibitory control — the ability to suppress irrelevant information.
03Participants all have bilateral (both-ear) hearing loss and use hearing aids, reducing audiological confounds.
04Findings could inform counseling about the cognitive co-burdens of tinnitus.
05Cross-sectional design limits causal interpretation.

✦ Claims & Evidence ✦

ClaimEvidenceSupport

Tinnitus is associated with reduced verbal information-processing speed in adults with bilateral hearing loss who use hearing aids.

studyunclear

Tinnitus is associated with reduced inhibitory control in adults with bilateral hearing loss who use hearing aids.

studyunclear

✦ Research metadata ✦

PMID: 42860782
DOI: 10.1080/23279095.2026.2747122.
Journal: Applied Neuropsychology: Adult
Publication type: research_article
Evidence level: 3
Population: Adults with bilateral hearing loss using hearing aids, with and without tinnitus
Intervention: Presence of tinnitus
Comparator: Adults with bilateral hearing loss without tinnitus

Primary outcomes

Verbal information-processing speed (Stroop task); Inhibitory control (Stroop interference effect)

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