목적: Tinnitus-related distress has been demonstrated to be associated with depression or stress as well as personality traits. Antidepressants and anxiolytics have been used widely in the treatment of subjective tinnitus in this regard. Tianeptine is a tricyclic antidepressant chemically with few adverse effects. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of antidepressant treatment for tinnitus in various aspects such as subjective tinnitus perception, tinnitus characteristics, depression, stress, and stress hormone levels. 방법:Sixty-nine patients with chronic tinnitus (mean age 51.6 years, 35 men and 34 women) were assigned into two treatment groups patients of the group 1 (n = 34) were treated with ginkgo biloba extract and tianeptine those of the group 2 (n = 35), with ginkgo biloba extract, tianeptine, and alprazolam for 8 weeks. Post-treatment outcomes were compared with pretreatment values (1) self-report tinnitus severity scores (VAS for loudness, awareness, annoyance, and effect on life, and THI), (2) tinnitus matching (loudness and pitch), (3) Becks depression index (BDI), (4) BEPSI stress score, and (5) stress hormone levels (5-HIAA, norepinephrine). 결과:Demographic data and all pretreatment scores were similar between the two groups except age and the duration of tinnitus subjects in the group 1 were older and suffered tinnitus longer than those in the group 2. In the group 1 (tianeptine), self-report tinnitus scores, BDI, stress score, and tinnitus loudness have improved significantly after the treatment, but tinnitus pitch and 5-HIAA were not different. In the group 2 (tianeptine and alprazolam), tinnitus scores, stress score, and tinnitus pitch have decreased significantly after the treatment, while BDI and tinnitus loudness showed no differences. 결론:Tianeptine with or without alprazolam seems to be used efficiently in the treatment of subjective sensorineural tinnitus. Further randomized and controlled study in a larger sample will be necessary.