Ph.D., FAAA
Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Expert and Scientist
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Tinnitus is the perception of hearing noise, or ringing in the ears, without any external source. There are approximately 50 million people in the United States who have reported symptoms of tinnitus. While virtually everyone experiences at least one episode of tinnitus in their lifetime, many people experience its symptoms daily to the degree that it disturbs activities and sleeping patterns.
Tinnitus is manageable and help is possible. While there is no one quick fix to this dilemma, several options are available to help stop ringing in the ears. The precise origin of tinnitus is still being explored, however, there are several factors that contribute to ringing in the ears.
At Labyrinth Audiology, we provide sophisticated and multidisciplinary treatment and management options for patients with tinnitus. As part of our treatment services, we offer:
After a case history, we will have you answer some questionnaires for us to better understand how tinnitus affects your life. While we employ routine audiological testing to assess your hearing sensitivity, we also attempt to understand the characteristics of your tinnitus. Additionally, we use psychoacoustical and electrophysiological measurements. Such tests will provide more detail as to the type of sounds you may be perceiving, and how we can go about assisting you in effectively managing the annoyance.
Solutions to tinnitus are achievable. Strategies ranging from counseling and cognitive-behavioral therapy to the use of special instruments and supplements can work toward our goal of combating tinnitus. Using scientific and clinically proven evidence-based approaches, our team of tinnitus specialists will design a therapeutic model for your tinnitus management which will help you to achieve control over your tinnitus.
Our professionals are experts in decreased sound tolerance disorders such as hyperacusis and misophonia. Many of those who suffer from tinnitus may also have decreased sound tolerance disorders. Our management plan will address both conditions.
Dr. Ali Danesh and Labyrinth Audiology are pleased to inform you that we now offer cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for treating patients with persistent, bothersome tinnitus. By implementing CBT as a critical component of our tinnitus treatment, we utilize evidence-based treatment for tinnitus.
Evidence-based therapies are shown through research to reduce symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and fear. CBT, delivered within a context of a caring, therapeutic relationship provided by a qualified counselor provides an effective basis for treatment. In addition to assisting patients, family members or significant others may receive counseling as an adjunct to patient treatment. Telemedicine will also be available to provide ongoing support and follow-up for patients needing "booster" sessions.
Our certified audiologists provide sophisticated, multidisciplinary care for patients living with tinnitus, hearing loss, hyperacusis, balance disorders, auditory processing disorders, and sound sensitivity conditions. With each member of our team bringing specialized expertise to the table, we are equipped to address the full picture of your condition not just its symptoms.
Professor Danesh proposes an audiological management protocol for tinnitus, hyperacusis and misophonia that addresses three key areas: sensation, emotion, and cognition (SEC). The "sensation" level uses sound therapy or bimodal electrical stimulation to reduce the perception of the piercing sound of tinnitus. The "emotion" level uses methods for reducing the emotional reaction to tinnitus and managing the autonomic nervous system response. The "cognition" level employs cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and internet-based CBT (iCBT) to address negative thoughts associated with tinnitus. Research suggests that integrating sound generators, counseling, and iCBT can effectively reduce the impact of tinnitus, and that iCBT can also decrease the impact of anxiety and depression. Past research has explored links between parental mental health, childhood experiences, and the severity of tinnitus, hyperacusis and misophonia.
From device-based treatments to peer-reviewed research and related sound sensitivity care — three places to keep learning.
FDA-cleared bimodal neuromodulation device delivering soundscapes and gentle tongue pulses to retrain the brain's response to tinnitus.
Explore LenireAudio and video lectures by Dr. Danesh on tinnitus, hyperacusis, and the Sensation–Emotion–Cognition (SEC) protocol.
Browse researchMany patients with tinnitus also experience decreased sound tolerance. Our management plan addresses both conditions together.
Sound sensitivity careWritten by Dr. Danesh and Colleagues. Stay informed with the latest evidence-based research from Dr. Ali Danesh and his global collaborators — from pioneering studies on the SEC (Sensation, Emotion, Cognition) protocol to recent 2025 breakthroughs in bimodal neuromodulation and iCBT.
Moleón González, M. d. C., Danesh, F., & Danesh, A. A. (2026). Integrating the Sensation–Emotion–Cognition (SEC) Model into Tinnitus Care: A Preliminary Exploratory Study of a Comprehensive Tinnitus Management Protocol. Audiology Research, 16(2), 43.
doi.org/10.3390/audiolres16020043Danesh, A.A. & Kaplan, J., Barvo, C. & Dobuler, A. (2025). OUTLOOK ON HYPERACUSIS AND MISOPHONIA IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS (ASD). J Hear Sci 2025;1(SPECIAL ISSUE ON MISOPHONIA AND HYPERACUSIS 1):54-57.
doi.org/10.17430/jhs/211236Danesh, A.A. & Kaplan, J. (2024). Hyperacusis and autism spectrum disorder. ENT & AUDIOLOGY NEWS VOLUME 33 ISSUE 3 JUL/AUG 2024.
ENT & Audiology NewsKing, A.M.; Cooper, J.N.; Oganezova, K.; Mittal, J.; McKenna, K.; Godur, D.A.; Zalta, M.; Danesh, A.A.; Mittal, R.; Eshraghi, A.A. Vestibular Schwannoma and Tinnitus: A Systematic Review of Microsurgery Compared to Gamma Knife Radiosurgery. J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13, 3065.
PubMed CentralAazh H, Taylor L, Danesh AA, Moore BCJ. (2023). The Effectiveness of Unguided Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Tinnitus for Patients with Tinnitus Alone or Combined with Hyperacusis and/or Misophonia: A Preliminary Analysis. J Am Acad Audiol. 2023 May 5. doi: 10.1055/a-2087-0262. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37146649.
ThiemeAazh, H, McFerran, D, Danesh, AA, Louw, C & Moore, BCJ (2023). A comparison of interaural asymmetry, audiogram slope, and psychometric measures of tinnitus, hyperacusis, anxiety and depression for patients with unilateral and bilateral tinnitus, International Journal of Audiology, DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2022.2160383
Taylor & FrancisAazh H, Erfanian M, Danesh AA and Moore BCJ (2022). Audiological and Other Factors Predicting the Presence of Misophonia Symptoms Among a Clinical Population Seeking Help for Tinnitus and/or Hyperacusis. Front. Neurosci. 16:900065. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2022.900065.
Frontiers in NeuroscienceAazh H, Hayes C, Moore BCJ, Danesh AA, Vitoratou S. (2022). Psychometric Evaluation of the Hyperacusis Impact Questionnaire (HIQ) and Sound Sensitivity Symptoms Questionnaire (SSSQ) Using a Clinical Population of Adult Patients with Tinnitus Alone or Combined with Hyperacusis. J Am Acad Audiol. 2022 Feb 23. doi: 10.1055/a-1780-4002. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35196727.
PubMedDanesh AA, Howery S, Aazh H, Kaf W, Eshraghi AA (2021). Hyperacusis in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Audiology Research, 11(4):547-556.
MDPI · Audiology ResearchAazh H, Danesh AA, Moore BCJ (2021). Self-reported Tinnitus Severity Prior to and During the COVID-19 Lockdown in the UK. J Am Acad Audiol. 2021 Oct;32(9):562-566. doi: 10.1055/s-0041-1731733. Epub 2022 Feb 17.
MDPI · Audiology ResearchAazh H, Danesh AA (2021). ONLINE FEATURE | Trilogy of Papers: Audiologist-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Tinnitus and Hyperacusis. Audiology Today, March-April Online Issue.
Audiology TodayAazh, H & Danesh, AA (2020). Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Tinnitus: Insights from Health Care Professionals. The Hearing Journal. First published online Wednesday, December 30, 2020.
Audiology TodayAazh H, Danesh AA, Moore BCJ. Internal Consistency and Convergent Validity of the Inventory of Hyperacusis Symptoms. Ear Hear. 2020 Nov 30. doi: 10.1097/AUD.0000000000000982. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33259445.
PubMedAazh, H & Danesh, AA (2020). Tinnitus and Insomnia. The Hearing Journal: June 2020 – Volume 73 – Issue 6 – p 14,15.
The Hearing JournalDanesh, AA & Aazh, H (2020). Misophonia: A Neurologic, Psychologic, and Audiologic Complex. The Hearing Journal. Vol 73, pp20-23.
The Hearing JournalAazh, H., Landgrebe, M., Danesh, AA & Moore, BCJ. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Alleviating The Distress Caused By Tinnitus, Hyperacusis And Misophonia: Current Perspectives. Psychol Res Behav Manag. 2019 Oct 23;12:991-1002.
PubMedDanesh, AA (2019). Incorporating Tinnitus Management Services into your Audiology Practice. The Hearing Journal. Vol 72, pp22-23.
The Hearing JournalAazh, H., Landgrebe, M & Danesh, AA. (2019). Parental mental illness in childhood as a risk factor for suicidal and self-harm ideations in adults seeking help for tinnitus and/or hyperacusis. Am J Aud.
PubMedPorcaro, C.K., Alavi, E., Gollery, T., & Danesh, A.A. (2019). Misophonia: Awareness and Responsiveness Among Academics. Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability, 108-118, 32 (2).
JPEDAazh, H., Langguth, B. & Danesh, AA (2018). Parental separation and parental mental health in childhood and tinnitus and hyperacusis disability in adulthood: a retrospective exploratory analysis. Int J of Aud. 2018 Oct 1:1-6. doi: 10.1080/14992027.2018.1514470.
PubMedAazh, H., Danesh, AA & Moore, BCJ (2018). Parental mental health in childhood as a risk factor for anxiety and depression among people seeking help for tinnitus and hyperacusis. J of Am Acad Aud.
PubMedAazh H, Knipper M, Danesh AA, Cavanna AE, Andersson L, Paulin J, Schecklmann M, Heinonen-Guzejev M, & Moore BCJ (2018). Insights from the Third International Conference on Hyperacusis: Causes, Evaluation, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Noise Health. 2018 Jul-Aug;20(95):162-170.
PubMed CentralOcak, M, Eshraghi, R, Danesh, AA, Mittal, R & Eshraghi E (2018). Central Auditory Processing Disorders in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Balkan Medical Journal, June 2018.
ResearchGateDanesh, AA, Shahnaz, N, & Hall, JW (2018). The Audiology of Otosclerosis. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2018 Apr;51(2):327-342.
PubMedDanesh, AA (2019). Hyperacusis and its Management.
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