While a link between depression and tinnitus was never established by a systematic study, there are reports that depression preceded a significant number of tinnitus cases and, as might be expected, makes tinnitus harder to cope with. Therefore, it is usually agreed that while depression is not a cause of tinnitus, it is a predisposition factor or in other words, a depressed person is more likely to pay more attention to the tinnitus sound and transform it in a more serious condition. In this respect, various studies have shown that anti-anxiety medication (such as Xanax) and anti-depressants have reduced the tinnitus symptoms in patients by up to 75%.

Anti-convulsive medication were also shown to reduce ear noise levels in patients which leads to the idea that tinnitus is largely influenced by emotional state. Therefore, negative emotional state can have an important part in the onset and aggravation of tinnitus symptoms, and similarly to a feedback/amplification effect, the ringing ears condition negatively influences the patient's psychological state.

Other studies were focused on tricyclic antidepressants. Using a tinnitus handicap questionnaire as an objective reference, these studies indicate that this category of antidepressants is better than a placebo in the treatment of patients with severe tinnitus. Clinical trials with neuroantidepressants like Prozac and Paxil, are in progress.