Zusammenfassung
The role of cognition in tinnitus is difficult to ignore. First, tinnitus
is likely to disrupt cognitive functioning, and there are some indications
that tinnitus patients have impaired capacity to perform certain
cognitive tasks. Second, evidence is emerging that tinnitus patients
show cognitive bias in the way they handle information. Such information
processing style suggests either depressive functioning, or anxious
vigilance, or both. Finally, self-report measures of tinnitus distress
all require conscious recollection of how tinnitus is perceived and
the consequences of tinnitus. Such reports necessitate cognitive
capacity.To review the literature on the interface between cognitive
function and tinnitus, with special regard to the role of different
levels of information processing.A selective systematic literature
search was conducted using the search engines of Medline and Psychological
Abstracts, and by hand search of conference proceedings.There are
yet relatively few published studies on cognitive functioning in
tinnitus patients. Most research has been conducted by a few separate
research groups. However, the available studies clearly implicate
an important role of cognitive processes at different levels from
basic cognitive function to more conscious appraisal of the consequences
of tinnitus. Finally, a tentative model of the road from tinnitus
generation to annoyance via cognitive function is suggested.
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