Four decades of tinnitus pathology research: a bibliometric analysis of scientific trends, collaborations, and research hotspots

INTRODUCTION: Tinnitus is a debilitating auditory disorder affecting approximately 14% of adults worldwide, often co-occurring with hearing loss, sleep disturbance, anxiety and depression. Despite its high global prevalence and substantial socioeconomic burden, tinnitus research remains underfunded, and effective treatments are limited due to the condition's complex and heterogeneous pathophysiology. A comprehensive understanding of the research landscape in tinnitus pathology is essential for guiding future scientific and clinical efforts, including the evaluation of patients presenting with tinnitus in emergency and acute care settings. METHODS: A bibliometric analysis was conducted on648 documents related to tinnitus pathology indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection (1977-2025). The analytical tools VOSviewer, R-bibliometrix, and Microsoft Excel were used to assess publication trends, source journals, contributing countries and institutions, author networks, and thematic keyword evolution. RESULTS: Findings reveal a steady increase in both publication count and academic attention to tinnitus pathology, with even more rapid growth projected. The United States leads in publication volume and international collaboration, although countries like Finland and Switzerland demonstrate higher average citation impact. Authors Dirk de Ridder and James A. Henry were identified as key points of dissemination of academia. Keyword analysis revealed a historical shift from peripheral auditory models to central neurophysiological frameworks, with recent emphasis on intervention-focused topics. Thematic mapping identified "pathology," "prevalence," and "diagnosis as central yet underdeveloped areas requiring further academic investment. CONCLUSION: This bibliometric analysis contributes a comprehensive overview of the research landscape for tinnitus pathology. Current research focuses on translating our basic understanding of tinnitus into intervention. Despite recent advancements, critical knowledge gaps persist in tinnitus pathophysiology, diagnostic specificity, and prevalence metrics standardization. These findings have important implications for emergency medicine, where tinnitus may represent either a benign symptom or the manifestation of serious neurologic, vascular, or otologic disease requiring urgent evaluation.