What’s New in Tinnitus Research? Key Updates from October 2025
Researchers are working hard to find better treatment options and gain a better understanding about the mechanisms of tinnitus. I sifted through 86 of the new articles posted in October 2025 in PubMed so you don’t have to. Here are some of the key findings:
A Cure for Tinnitus After Tinnitus Retraining Therapy: Insights from a Large Case Series
This retrospective study analyzed 1,027 patients with sensorineural tinnitus who achieved a “cure”—defined as less than five minutes of daily tinnitus awareness—after undergoing Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) between 2017 and 2022. The majority were female (65.4%) with a median age of 57, and most had unilateral tinnitus and hearing loss. TRT, based on Jastreboff’s neurophysiological model, combines directive counseling and sound therapy to promote habituation. The median time to resolution was 17 months, with younger age and earlier intervention correlating with faster recovery. No significant differences in cure duration were found across sex, tinnitus laterality, or symptom type. The study supports TRT as a promising treatment for sensorineural tinnitus, though outcomes vary widely and may take months to years.
What This Means For You:
As an audiologist and hearing aid user deeply involved in tinnitus care and education, this study reinforces the clinical value of TRT in achieving meaningful symptom resolution, even complete remission, for patients with sensorineural tinnitus. It highlights the importance of early intervention and patient education, aligning well with USF Hearing Clinic’s therapeutic approach that emphasizes directive counseling and sound therapy.
Velasco, G. C., Vidal, J. L. E., Lee, C. M., Jeon, M. C., Han, J. S., Seo, J. H., & Park, S. N. (2025). A Cure for Tinnitus After Tinnitus Retraining Therapy: Insights From a Large Case Series. Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology, 46(9), 1053–1058. https://doi.org/10.1097/MAO.0000000000004583
Central Brain Network Reorganization in Idiopathic Tinnitus: Evidence from Resting-State fMRI
This study investigates how idiopathic tinnitus alters brain connectivity using resting-state functional MRI in 74 patients compared to 98 healthy controls. Researchers found significant reductions in functional connectivity within the auditory cortex, limbic system, and ventral attention network. These changes suggest that tinnitus is not merely an ear-based issue but involves widespread central nervous system reorganization. The study also found that connectivity disruptions correlate with tinnitus severity and associated symptoms like anxiety, sleep disturbance, and cognitive decline. These findings support the theory of central plasticity in tinnitus and highlight potential targets for future therapies.
What This Means For You:
As an audiologist and educator, this research reinforces the importance of viewing tinnitus as a central nervous system disorder rather than a purely auditory one. It validates our emphasis on holistic care, including cognitive, emotional, and attentional components. The study’s identification of disrupted connectivity in attention and emotion-related brain regions aligns with our focus on self-regulation and reducing emotional distress.
Pandey, H. R., Keshri, A., Sinha, N., & Kumar, U. (2025). Auditory network plasticity in tinnitus across the adult lifespan: Insights from fMRI and structural connectivity. Hearing research, 466, 109406. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heares.2025.109406
Tinnitus Distress Trajectories During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Vaccination: A Cross-Sectional Survey Analysis
This study analyzed self-reported tinnitus severity and distress across three timepoints, before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic, using validated instruments (THI and TRQ) in 189 U.S. adults. Results showed a significant and sustained increase in tinnitus burden, with THI scores rising from a mean of 9.57 pre-pandemic to 36.92 post-pandemic. TRQ scores followed a similar trajectory, with moderate or greater distress increasing from 5.8% to 35.6%. Notably, 25.9% and 31.9% of participants reported new or worsened tinnitus after the first and second vaccine doses, respectively. While causality cannot be inferred, the findings suggest that pandemic-related stress, isolation, and reduced healthcare access may have amplified tinnitus symptoms. The study supports a biopsychosocial model of tinnitus and calls for integrated audiological and psychological care.
What This Means For You:
This research underscores the importance of addressing both emotional and auditory dimensions of tinnitus, especially in the wake of global stressors like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Yellamsetty, A., & Shin, M. (2025). Trajectory of Tinnitus Distress Across the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Self-Reported Symptoms. Audiology research, 15(5), 132. https://doi.org/10.3390/audiolres15050132
Dr. Jon Douglas specializes in tinnitus, hyperacusis & misophonia management, hearing aid technology, and vestibular evaluations. With over 19 years of academic and clinical experience, Dr. Douglas is deeply committed to providing evidence-based audiological care that improves the lives of patients affected by hearing, balance, and sound sensitivity disorders.