Dr Hashir Aazh, Director of the Hashir International Institute, was invited to deliver the prestigious Tonndorf Lecture at the 3rd World Tinnitus Congress and 14th International Tinnitus Seminar, held in Warsaw, Poland, from 13–15 April 2025.
The Tonndorf Lectures are a long-standing tradition within the International Tinnitus Seminar series, offering a platform for leading experts to reflect on the progress, challenges, and future directions in tinnitus research and clinical care. The lectureship honours individuals whose work has made a lasting impact on the field.
Dr Aazh’s lecture, titled “Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): From the Greek Stoics in the First Millennium BC to Modern Medicine for the Treatment of Tinnitus and Sound Intolerance”, traced the philosophical origins of CBT and explored its clinical evolution as a treatment for tinnitus, hyperacusis, and misophonia. He presented evidence supporting its effectiveness when delivered by psychologists, audiologists, and through digital platforms, while advocating for more personalised and scalable interventions to meet the diverse needs of patients.
The lecture recognised Dr Aazh’s leading role in making Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) more accessible within specialist audiological care, where the majority of tinnitus patients are seen. While CBT had been previously used in psychological settings, Dr Aazh pioneered its structured application by audiologists, embedding it within routine tinnitus and sound intolerance services. His work has significantly expanded the role of audiologists—moving beyond sound-based therapies to include psychological interventions as part of comprehensive aural rehabilitation. This shift has helped bridge the gap between audiology and mental health, offering patients more integrated and accessible care.
An extended version of the lecture has now been published in Brain Sciences (2025) and is accessible via this link.
