tinnitus. However, functional abnormalities in tinnitus patients are not limited to the centra METHODS: Some 32 patients were randomized in order to obtain either temporal rTMS (10 sessions, 1Hz, left auditory cortex, 2000 pulses/d, 110% motor threshold) or a combination of temporal and prefrontal rTMS (10 sessions, at each session 20 Hz rTMS, left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, 1,000 pulses/d, 110% motor threshold; followed by 1Hz, left auditory cortex, 1,000 pulses/d, 110% motor threshold). Tinnitus Severity was assessed before and after treatment and after a follow-up period of three months by using a standardized tinnitus questionnaire (TQ). RESULTS: Assessment of TQ score directly after therapy showed an improvement of the score for both groups but no differences between the two groups. Evaluation after three months revealed a remarkable advantage for the group of patients who received combined prefrontal and temporal rTMS. CONCLUSIONS: These results support recent data suggesting that auditory and nonauditory brain areas are involved in tinnitus pathophysiology. This should be considered in the development of future treatment strategies.