Applications of auditory evoked potentials in tinnitus: a review

Abstract

Background and Aim: Subjective tinnitus is a phantom auditory perception caused by different factors and affects the patient’s quality of life. The tinnitus pathophysiology is not fully understood; therefore, there is no effective treatment for tinnitus. Along with other methods, auditory evoked potentials (AEPs) may be helpful in understanding this condition and the involved structures. This study aimed to review the applications of AEPs in tinnitus studies. Recent Findings: The studies investigating tinnitus were categorized into three groups of tinnitus pathophysiology, pre-or post-treatment/ intervention evaluation of tinnitus, and objective diagnosis of tinnitus. Contradictory and unrepeatable findings were observed in each group. Conclusion: Discrepancies in the results of AEPs studies can be due to between-group and within-group differences, lack of proper matching in terms of tinnitus etiology and hearing loss, and difference in neurophysiologic models of tinnitus.