Eldré W Beukes1, Vinaya Manchaiah2,3,4,5, Gerhard Andersson6,7, Peter M Allen1,8, Paige M Terlizzi2, David M Baguley1,9,10. 1. a Department of Vision and Hearing Sciences , Anglia Ruskin University , Cambridge , UK. 2. b Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences , Lamar University , Beaumont , TX , USA. 3. c Department of Behavioral Science and Learning , The Swedish Institute for Disability Research, Linköping University , Linköping , Sweden. 4. d Audiology India , Mysore , India. 5. e Department of Speech and Hearing School of Allied Health Sciences , Manipal University , Manipal , India. 6. f Department of Behavioral Sciences and Learning , Linköping University , Linköping , Sweden. 7. g Department of Clinical Neuroscience Division of Psychiatry , Karolinska Institute , Stockholm , Sweden. 8. h Vision and Eye Research Unit Anglia Ruskin University , Cambridge , UK. 9. i National Institute for Health Research Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre , Nottingham , UK. 10. j Otology and Hearing Group Division of Clinical Neuroscience School of Medicine , University of Nottingham , Nottingham , UK.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The primary aim of this study was to identify coping strategies used to manage problematic tinnitus situations. A secondary aim was to determine whether different approaches were related to the level of tinnitus distress, anxiety, depression, and insomnia experienced. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey design was implemented. The study sample was adults interested in undertaking an Internet-based intervention for tinnitus. Self-reported measures assessed the level of tinnitus distress, depression, anxiety, and insomnia. An open-ended question was used to obtain information about how problematic tinnitus situations were dealt with. Responses were investigated using qualitative content analysis to identify problematic situations. Further data analysis comprised of both qualitative and quantitative methods. RESULTS: There were 240 participants (137 males, 103 females), with an average age of 48.16 years (SD: 22.70). Qualitative content analysis identified eight problematic tinnitus situations. Participants had either habituated to their tinnitus (7.9%), used active (63.3%), or passive (28.8%) coping styles to manage these situations. Those who had habituated to tinnitus or used active coping strategies had lower levels of tinnitus distress, anxiety, and depression. CONCLUSIONS: The main problematic tinnitus situations for this cohort were identified. Both active and passive coping styles were applied to approach these situations. The coping strategies used most frequently and utilised in the widest range of problematic situations were using sound enrichment and diverting attention. Implications for Rehabilitation The main problematic tinnitus situations for this group of participants were identified. Overall, a limited range of strategies were used to deal with individual problematic situations. The use of sound enrichment and diverting attention was applied in the widest range of problematic situations. The use of both active and passive coping styles was evident to approach these situations. The use of passive strategies in certain situations was associated with higher levels of tinnitus distress, depression, and anxiety over the last week as measured by self-reported questionnaires.
PURPOSE: The primary aim of this study was to identify coping strategies used to manage problematic tinnitus situations. A secondary aim was to determine whether different approaches were related to the level of tinnitus distress, anxiety, depression, and insomnia experienced. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey design was implemented. The study sample was adults interested in undertaking an Internet-based intervention for tinnitus. Self-reported measures assessed the level of tinnitus distress, depression, anxiety, and insomnia. An open-ended question was used to obtain information about how problematic tinnitus situations were dealt with. Responses were investigated using qualitative content analysis to identify problematic situations. Further data analysis comprised of both qualitative and quantitative methods. RESULTS: There were 240 participants (137 males, 103 females), with an average age of 48.16 years (SD: 22.70). Qualitative content analysis identified eight problematic tinnitus situations. Participants had either habituated to their tinnitus (7.9%), used active (63.3%), or passive (28.8%) coping styles to manage these situations. Those who had habituated to tinnitus or used active coping strategies had lower levels of tinnitus distress, anxiety, and depression. CONCLUSIONS: The main problematic tinnitus situations for this cohort were identified. Both active and passive coping styles were applied to approach these situations. The coping strategies used most frequently and utilised in the widest range of problematic situations were using sound enrichment and diverting attention. Implications for Rehabilitation The main problematic tinnitus situations for this group of participants were identified. Overall, a limited range of strategies were used to deal with individual problematic situations. The use of sound enrichment and diverting attention was applied in the widest range of problematic situations. The use of both active and passive coping styles was evident to approach these situations. The use of passive strategies in certain situations was associated with higher levels of tinnitus distress, depression, and anxiety over the last week as measured by self-reported questionnaires.
Authors: Vinaya Manchaiah; George Vlaescu; Srinivas Varadaraj; Elizabeth Parks Aronson; Marc A Fagelson; Maria F Munoz; Gerhard Andersson; Eldré W Beukes Journal: Am J Audiol Date: 2020-07-28 Impact factor: 1.493
Authors: Konstantin Tziridis; Sarah Brunner; Achim Schilling; Patrick Krauss; Holger Schulze Journal: Front Neurosci Date: 2022-03-30 Impact factor: 4.677
Authors: Eldré W Beukes; David M Baguley; Laure Jacquemin; Matheus P C G Lourenco; Peter M Allen; Joy Onozuka; David Stockdale; Viktor Kaldo; Gerhard Andersson; Vinaya Manchaiah Journal: Front Public Health Date: 2020-11-05