A Referral Option for Patients who are Distressed by Tinnitus

AAO-HNS Guidelines Recommend
CBT for Tinnitus

AAO-HNS Clinical Practice Guideline for Tinnitus state:

“Clinicians should recommend cognitive behavioral therapy to patients with persistent, bothersome tinnitus.” CBT received the strongest recommendation in the guideline, with a Level A evidence rating.

Why Take a Behavioral Health Approach to Tinnitus?

While most people adapt to tinnitus without need for intervention, studies show one in four people develops “Tinnitus Distress,” a diagnosable disorder (Somatic Symptom Disorder, ICD 10 F45.0). Tinnitus Distress, which is highly associated with anxiety and depression, can significantly impact mood, functioning (sleep, concentration) and quality of life. Patients often become obsessed with reducing or removing the tinnitus and will repeatedly return to doctors in seek of a non-existent cure.

Sound Therapy or CBT?

Audiologist-delivered “Sound Therapy” using hearing aids that provide “masking” is the most common treatment. But this is not an evidence-based approach. The AAO-HNS Clinical Practice Guidelines caution against the “Consequences of recommending an intervention of uncertain efficacy; promoting false hope; [and the] costs associated with sound therapy.” CBT is the only evidence-based treatment for tinnitus distress (Somatic Symptom Disorder).

What the Program Includes

A Private 1:1 Consultation

  • An individualized session to build a recovery plan around the patient's specific history — hearing loss, sound sensitivity, sleep, anxiety, work, or family impact

A Structured Online CBT Course

  • Self-paced lessons in CBT, mindfulness, and habituation science — teaching patients why tinnitus becomes distressing and how to break the fear-monitoring cycle

Weekly Live Group Coaching

  • Ongoing support to apply the skills, stay accountable, and keep progressing toward habituation — not a support group focused on tinnitus itself, but on rebuilding a full life alongside it

Why Refer Here

  • Fills the gap after a medical workup finds no further treatment path

  • Addresses the psychological distress that drives many return visits and patient anxiety

  • Complements medical treatment

  • Accessible remotely, so scheduling and location are not a barrier for your patients

About Dr. Hubbard

Bruce Hubbard, PhD has personally treated over 2,000 people with tinnitus distress over the past 17 years. He developed tinnitus distress himself in 2005 and recovered using CBT — the only evidence-based tinnitus treatment — before founding CBT for Tinnitus, LLC. He brings both clinical and lived-experience expertise to every patient he treats.

  • Visiting Scholar, Columbia University, Teachers College

  • Founding member, Behavioral Health Tinnitus Providers Association (BHTPA)

  • Serves on the Science Advisory Committee, American Tinnitus Association

  • Board Certified in Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology (ABPP)

  • Presenter of the ADAA-sponsored CBT for Tinnitus webinar (400,000+ views)

  • Past President, New York City Cognitive Behavior Therapy Association (2016–2018)