Does TRICARE cover tinnitus treatment?

TRICARE covers the evaluation and management of tinnitus as a medical condition. Covered services include audiological evaluation to assess hearing and tinnitus severity, medical evaluation to identify underlying causes such as noise exposure or medication side effects, hearing aids when tinnitus is accompanied by hearing loss, tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for tinnitus-related distress, and sound therapy devices when prescribed. Tinnitus is particularly common among military service members and veterans due to noise exposure during service. Under TRICARE Prime, a referral from the primary care manager to an audiologist or otolaryngologist is required. TRICARE Select allows direct access to network hearing specialists. While there is no definitive cure for tinnitus, TRICARE covers evidence-based management strategies to reduce the impact of tinnitus on daily life. Active duty members can access tinnitus evaluation and treatment at military audiology clinics at no cost.