AURORA, IL, January 29, 2026 – Tinnitus affects millions of patients worldwide. Simultaneously, it remains one of the most challenging auditory conditions to manage. On the occasion of the annual Tinnitus Awareness Week, AudioNova emphasizes patient-centered, holistic care: tinnitus is not regarded as an independent disease, but as a symptom with variable individual manifestation. The current evidence supports a multimodal treatment pathway that includes education, individualized assessment, hearing aids and advanced management approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Numerous studies show that tinnitus is widespread and often co-occurs with hearing loss. It is estimated that about 10-15% of the population experiences tinnitus, with the majority not finding it bothersome.1 Around 20% of those affected require medical support, and about 2% experience such strong impacts that daily life is significantly impacted. Latest evidence also indicates that four in five people with tinnitus may have concurrent hearing loss.2
From assessment to therapy: Reducing tinnitus distress
There is currently no cure for tinnitus. But there are many ways to support people with bothersome tinnitus.2 The aim is to reduce distress and burden. A standardized tinnitus assessment to characterize the individual burden, based on validated questionnaires, provides the foundation for individualized counseling and further management strategies.2
The current best-validated treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which aims to alter tinnitus-related maladaptive behavior and negative associations to lessen the impact of tinnitus.3 Getting access to psychological care like CBT is still a challenge4 for tinnitus patients, but more and more validated digital tools are available that provide internet-based CBT.
Hearing aids and multimodal care: Better outcomes for tinnitus patients
There is growing evidence that amplification through hearing aids can further help tinnitus patients with hearing loss: they improve speech understanding, enhance hearing-related quality of life, and can reduce tinnitus perception.5 Most modern hearing aids have integrated tinnitus masking features that can provide additional support for tinnitus patients.
Dr. Maren Stropahl, Senior Director of Holistic Hearing Care at Sonova, emphasizes: “There is growing evidence that the combination of treatments is more effective than single treatments which suggests that multimodal, patient-centered approaches can provide the best relief.”6
Physicians and ENT specialists interested in clinical resources, collaborative programs, or educational opportunities can find further information in physician resources section at Audionova.com or contact us at hello@audionova.com.
AudioNova US AudioNova US is committed to helping people hear and live better. As Sonova’s hearing care retail brand in the United States, we operate nearly 400 clinics with services reaching 37 states, where our local experts support people at every stage of their hearing journey. They offer clear information, easy access, and personalized care in our clinics or via telehealth. Discover more at AudioNova.com.
About Sonova
Sonova is a global leader in innovative hearing care solutions: from personal audio devices and wireless communication systems to audiological care services, hearing aids and cochlear implants. The Group was founded in 1947 and is headquartered in Stäfa, Switzerland. Sonova operates through four businesses – Hearing Instruments, Audiological Care, Consumer Hearing and Cochlear Implants – and the core brands Phonak, Unitron, AudioNova, Sennheiser (under license) and Advanced Bionics as well as recognized regional brands. The Group’s globally diversified sales and distribution channels serve an ever growing consumer base in more than 100 countries.
In the 2024/25 financial year, the Group generated sales of CHF 3.9 billion, with a net profit of CHF 547 million. Around 18,000 employees are working on achieving Sonova’s vision of a world where everyone enjoys the delight of hearing.
Sonova has a long-standing commitment to innovation and was ranked no. 12 among the most innovative companies in Europe in 2025 by Fortune magazine, selected from 300 companies across 21 countries and 16 industries.
References:
- Jarach, C. M., Lugo, A., Scala, M., van den Brandt, P. A., Cederroth, C. R., Odone, A., … & Gallus, S. (2022). Global prevalence and incidence of tinnitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA neurology, 79(9), 888-900. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaneurol.2022.2189
- Cima, R. F., Mazurek, B., Haider, H., Kikidis, D., Lapira, A., Noreña, A., & Hoare, D. J. (2019). A multidisciplinary European guideline for tinnitus: diagnostics, assessment, and treatment. HNO, 67(1), 10-42. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00106-019-0633-7
- Langguth, B., Kleinjung, T., Schlee, W., Vanneste, S., & De Ridder, D. (2023). Tinnitus guidelines and their evidence base. Journal of clinical medicine, 12(9), Article 3087. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12093087
- Subotic-Kerry M, Borchard T, Parker B, et al. While they wait: a cross-sectional survey on wait times for mental health treatment for anxiety and depression for adolescents in Australia BMJ Open 2025;15:e087342. https ://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-087342
- Jacquemin, L., Gilles, A., & Shekhawat, G. S. (2022). Hearing more to hear less: a scoping review of hearing aids for tinnitus relief. International Journal of Audiology, 61(11), 887–895. https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2021.2007423
- Schoisswohl, S., Basso, L., Simoes, J. et al. Single versus combination treatment in tinnitus: an international, multicentre, parallel-arm, superiority, 3randomized controlled trial. Nat Commun 16, 10510 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-66165-1
