The III World Tinnitus Congress and the XIV International Tinnitus Seminar, held in April 2025 in Warsaw, Poland, showcased a broad spectrum of global research highlighting major advancements in tinnitus understanding and treatment.
The program began with a live oto-surgery session, offering attendees a unique opportunity to observe surgical techniques firsthand. The operating surgeon was Professor Henryk Skarżyński, assisted by Dr. Mrowka M., Dr. Porowski M., Dr. Plichta Ł., Dr. Pastuszak A., and Dr. Barylyak R. The session was moderated by Professor Piotr Henryk Skarżyński, demonstrating advanced techniques in auditory surgery and setting the tone for the scientific sessions that followed.
This was followed by several engaging workshops. Notably, Dr. Hashir Aazh (Hashir International Institute, UK) led the session titled “Introduction to Audiologist/ENT-delivered Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for tinnitus and sound intolerance”, providing foundational insights into CBT techniques and delivery in clinical audiology settings. Another session, “How can we learn about tinnitus neuro correlates from our daily observations?”, was led by Professor Marlies Knipper (University of Tübingen, Germany). This workshop encouraged reflection on clinical observations as a tool for advancing neuroscience. Topics included: (i) whether tinnitus occurs in congenital deafness, (ii) whether tinnitus is perceived in cochlear implant users when the device is turned off, and (iii) how these observations relate to the Heller and Bergman experiment (1953), which demonstrated that most people perceive tinnitus when placed in a silent environment.
Neuroscience and diagnostic innovation took centre stage. Professor Marlies Knipper delivered a talk on “Neurobiology of tinnitus and hyperacusis” and expanded on neurophysiological models of tinnitus. Professor Stavros Hatzopoulos (University of Ferrara, Italy) presented “The ‘missing’ relationship between OAEs and tinnitus”, exploring decades of research on otoacoustic emissions. Dr. Andreia Azevedo (University of São Paulo, Brazil) contributed to the neuroscience stream with insights into electrophysiological testing, highlighting its relevance to tinnitus assessment and its potential to complement behavioural measures. Dr. Agnes Szczepek (Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany) presented on “Treating tinnitus with electrical stimulation”, offering insights into neurostimulation-based therapies. Dr. Robin Guillard (University of Grenoble Alpes, France) presented two talks: the first on “Sleep intermittent tinnitus patients exhibit infradian circasemiseptan tinnitus loudness periodicity”, exploring sleep-related fluctuations in tinnitus, and the second titled “Why does tinnitus vary with naps? Exploring somatosensory, central and autonomic involvement”, delving into mechanisms behind nap-related changes in perception.
In the field of treatment innovation, Prof. Ricardo Rodrigues Figueiredo (Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil) addressed multiple dimensions of tinnitus, including pharmacological strategies and the impact of COVID-19. Dr. Yuan-Lin Hsieh (Fudan University, China) presented on surgical approaches to pulsatile tinnitus, with multiple talks on bone cement therapy, dural arteriovenous fistulas, and diagnostic methods using spontaneous otoacoustic emissions. Dr. Annemarie van der Wal (University of Amsterdam and University of Antwerp) discussed misconceptions about temporomandibular disorders (TMD)-related somatic tinnitus. Dr. Danuta Raj-Koziak (World Hearing Centre, Poland) introduced the newly developed and validated Children’s Tinnitus Questionnaire. Dr. M.B. Skarżyńska (Medical University of Warsaw, Poland) presented on “Efficacy and safety of pharmacological treatment in tinnitus patients”, highlighting current evidence and safety profiles of medications.
Dr. Andreia Azevedo also presented a double-blind study exploring personality traits and treatment response to olanzapine. Dr. Saad Elzayat (Kafelsheikh University, Egypt) evaluated the efficacy of intratympanic injections and offered a pharmacological overview. Dr. Magdalena Sereda (University of Nottingham, UK) examined “Translating non-invasive brain stimulation into a treatment for tinnitus”, with updates on tDCS and ultrasound vagal nerve stimulation. Dr. Sarah Michiels (Hasselt University, Belgium) delivered a detailed session on somatosensory tinnitus diagnosis and physiotherapy interventions.
Technology and digital health were also prominent. Dr. Carlos Cuilty Siller (TecSalud, Mexico) unveiled a mobile app for diagnosing and treating tinnitus via sound therapy and nutrition-based strategies. Dr. Israel de la Cruz Avila (TecSalud, Mexico) shared results on hearing aids and counselling for patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Dr. Elżbieta Gos (World Hearing Centre, Poland) presented findings on the relationship between trait mindfulness and tinnitus severity.
A major highlight of the conference was the prestigious Tonndorf Lecture delivered by Dr. Hashir Aazh. Titled “Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Managing Tinnitus, Hyperacusis, and Misophonia: The 2025 Tonndorf Lecture”, this presentation offered an in-depth exploration of CBT as an evidence-based intervention for managing distress associated with tinnitus and sound intolerance. The lecture addressed three major components: (1) the theoretical foundations of CBT for tinnitus, hyperacusis, and misophonia, (2) clinical evidence supporting psychologist-, audiologist-, and internet-delivered CBT, and (3) an estimation of the population-level need for CBT. Dr. Aazh noted that while psychologist- and audiologist-delivered CBT have both shown significant effectiveness, guided digital approaches also demonstrate promise, albeit with some limitations such as dropout rates in unguided formats. Importantly, not all patients experience the same level of benefit from CBT, highlighting the need for alternative or supplementary interventions. The lecture emphasized future priorities, including hybrid models combining face-to-face and online methods, identification of CBT non-responders, and incorporation of neurophysiological outcomes in clinical trials. An estimated 1 in 52 individuals with tinnitus may require CBT, underscoring both the scale of the problem and the relative specificity of intensive therapeutic need.
The scientific exchange extended to poster presentations as well. A total of 19 scientific posters were presented by researchers from many countries, offering diverse insights into tinnitus mechanisms, assessment tools, and treatment innovations. Topics included CBT and cognitive factors, novel clinical and pathophysiological models, comparative treatment outcomes, vestibular comorbidities, neuroimaging (fNIRS, MEG), somatosensory diagnostics, auditory modelling, cochlear implantation outcomes, transcranial stimulation, psychoacoustics, new assessment tools, nutrition and BMI-related factors, and COVID-19 impacts on brain function. This rich poster programme reflected the broadening scope of tinnitus research.
At the end of the conference, two bids were presented to host the next World Tinnitus Congress. One bid was submitted by Dr. Annemarie van der Wal for Amsterdam, and the other by Dr. Hashir Aazh for London. Both proposals generated significant interest among attendees. Following a tightly contested selection process, the audience selected London as the next host city. Therefore, the IV World Tinnitus Congress (WTC) and the XV International Tinnitus Seminar (ITS) will take place on 1–2 July 2027 in London, UK. The event will be organized by the Hashir International Institute.
As the scientific community continues its quest to find a cure for tinnitus, the research presented at this year’s Congress reflects a growing commitment to innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the integration of cutting-edge science with clinical practice. From neural mechanisms to advanced therapies, this conference reaffirmed the global momentum behind solving one of audiology’s most persistent challenges.
Special thanks to the Congress organizers for their outstanding work in bringing together this diverse and insightful program. The President of the Congress was Professor Piotr Henryk Skarżyński, MD, PhD, MSc (Institute of Sensory Organs), and the Honorary President was Professor Henryk Skarżyński, MD, PhD, dr h.c. multi (Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing).
For full access to the Book of Abstracts, please visit here.
