People with tinnitus report anecdotal difficulties in mental concentration and psychological treatments for tinnitus advise on concentration difficulties and how to manage them. Yet the literature lacks any coherent discussion about what precise theoretical cognitive constructs might be mediating reported concentration problems. This review addresses this gap by describing and critically appraising the behavioural evidence for the effects of tinnitus on cognitive performance (namely working memory and attention). Empirical evidence is somewhat limited, but there is some support that tinnitus interferes with executive attention, and mixed support that it impairs working memory and selective attention. We highlight a number of methodological considerations to help drive the field forward and we propose a putative model of the complex inter-relationships between tinnitus, cognition and confounding factors. This model provides a basis for hypothesis testing.

Tinnitus represents a major burden of disability, yet there is scant evidence for effective management strategies and a lack of clinical trials to formally test even some of the most commonly used drugs and medical devices. The James Lind Alliance gives a voice to patients and clinicians to identify and prioritize important clinical research questions concerning treatment uncertainties. This article describes the initiative conducted by the Tinnitus Priority Setting Partnership; how it was set up, what the consultation process was, and how the top ten research priorities were identified. For each priority, we recommend a research strategy; either calling for a systematic review or appropriate clinical study. We promote these as topics for commissioned research and as priority areas to encourage researcher-led funding applications.