[Current aspects of tinnitus and depression].

Health authorities underestimate the negative influence of emotional factors such as depression, anxiety disorders, or somatoform disorders in the development of tinnitus and their contribution to a poor prognosis. This can lead to underestimation of the impairment suffered by tinnitus patients and, consequently, a possibly incorrect treatment approach or belated initiation of therapy. Mental disorders play a large role in the S3AWMF "Tinnitus" guidelines. Thus, the somatic and psychiatric approaches for treatment of chronic tinnitus patients are combined. Starting with taking chronic tinnitus patients' case history, special attention should be paid to comorbid mental disorders.