The Brain Seems to Rearrange Itself as Tinnitus Becomes Chronic

Researchers compared EEG brain activity in people with recent tinnitus, chronic tinnitus, and no tinnitus.

Early tinnitus was linked to stronger salience network activity and weaker central executive network activity.

Chronic tinnitus showed a different, more stable pattern that was closer to controls.

The findings suggest tinnitus may drive broader brain reorganization over time.

This could help explain why tinnitus is hard to treat and guide future therapies.