(PP1411) Who Do Tinnitus Patients Turn to When They First Experience Tinnitus?

Lead Presenter(s)

Jenna Worms

Doctoral Student
Long Island Doctor of Audiology Consotrium
Port Washington, New York, United States

Presenter(s)

AD

Aniruddha K. Deshpande, PhD

Associate Professor & Director, The Hear-Ring Lab
Hofstra University
Hempstead, New York, United States
Shruti Balvalli Deshpande, PhD

Assistant Professor
St. John's University, United States

Abstract:
The aims of this study were to identify the initial source of tinnitus information sought by individuals with tinnitus, how helpful this information was, and if further sources were eventually sought. It also aimed to find the most helpful source of information and if individuals with tinnitus eventually sought assistance from an audiologist. Survey results from one hundred and twenty-seven participants showed the majority of participants sought out more than five sources, healthcare professionals, such as otolaryngologists or audiologists, were the most sought out first source, and online websites were the most helpful source.

Summary:
Tinnitus is the perception of an intermittent or continuous sound, described as buzzing or ringing, without an external acoustic stimulus. Possible causes include cochlear abnormalities, disruption in the pathophysiological mechanism, noise exposure, or head/neck injuries (Baugley et al., 2013). Tinnitus is commonly accompanied with hearing loss and worsened by stress. Effects of tinnitus can range from mild to a severe debilitating condition affecting daily functioning. Psychosocial effects, including fatigue, sleep deprivation, depression, and lack of concentration, can cause individuals with tinnitus to feel helpless and anxious, creating a lower quality of life.

Although there is no ‘cure’ for tinnitus yet, available management techniques such as hearing aids, sound therapy, and tinnitus retraining therapy (Tyler, 2006) may lessen the severity of symptoms. They address emotional, attentive, and cognitive impacts of tinnitus, allowing for a better quality of life. Many tinnitus patients are unaware of these management options or even where to receive assistance, for instance from audiologists (Cox, 2014).

Previous studies highlight the lack of onward referral after a consultation with a general practitioner (El-Shunnar et al., 2011; Gander et al., 2011). Delaying tinnitus assessment/intervention may lead to health problems such as lack of sleep, depression, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating. Limited studies exist that investigate sources of information sought out by individuals with tinnitus when they first experience the condition.

The aims of the present study were to determine: a. the initial source of information sought by individuals with tinnitus, b. if this information was helpful, and c. if further sources were sought after the first attempt. This study also aimed to identify which source was the most critical and if assistance from an audiologist was eventually sought out.

One hundred and twenty-seven individuals ages 18 years and older with tinnitus participated in the study. Participants filled out a 25-question survey and rated their perceptions of tinnitus. The survey included questions about demographics, sources of tinnitus sought, and helpfulness of the information. Descriptive statistical analyses including measures of central tendency and dispersion were calculated to determine the first source of tinnitus information, further sources of tinnitus information sought, and the most helpful tinnitus information available.

Results showed that most participants sought more than five sources of information when they experienced tinnitus. The most common first and second source was a healthcare professional, such as an otolaryngologist or audiologist. The proportion of participants reporting information received from their sources to be ‘positive,’ was only slightly greater than those reporting it as ‘negative.’ Interestingly, online websites were the most helpful source. Some online information may be inaccurate, so it is important to ensure this information is reliable and useful.

The results of the present study provide invaluable information about the different sources of information that individuals with tinnitus seek and how helpful they find them to be. These results have implications for the type of information clinicians provide to their patients as well as directing patients to valid and reliable sources of online information.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion, participants will be able to identify the sources of tinnitus information that patients with tinnitus seek out and the helpfulness of each source.