What is the burden of tinnitus?

Helen Pryce*, Nicolas Dauman, Georgina Burns-O’Connell

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Introduction: Tinnitus is a complex experience that often occurs alongside other health conditions, including hearing loss. In the UK, as in other western countries, patterns of health are changing with a rise in multi-morbidity and complexity of health conditions. As we age, we can expect to live with multiple health conditions. Burden of illness has long been recognised. Less well recognised is the burden that accumulates from the treatment of health conditions. Methods: This qualitative thematic analysis of patient accounts described the cumulative burdens of tinnitus, both the experience of hearing the tinnitus and from the treatments undertaken. Between 2017-8 we conducted interviews with 38 participants who were help-seekers in a range of contrasting UK clinical services (Physician led, Audiology led and Hearing Therapy led). We examined these interview data using reflexive thematic analysis methods to identify and explore the cumulative burdens for those who live with and seek help for their tinnitus. Specifically, we used six phased approach to determine and group themes. Results: The themes provide a coherent description of the nature of the burden that people with tinnitus experience. Discussion: In tinnitus, as with most chronic health conditions, the largest treatment workload is devolved to the patient. Patients are required to implement treatments, learn about tinnitus and find new ways of coping. Yet this work happens invisibly, without recognition from clinicians who measure outcomes but not the efforts made to achieve outcomes. Patient-centred care depends upon the recognition of the cumulative burdens that patients experience.
Original languageEnglish
Article number981776
Number of pages11
JournalFrontiers in Psychology
Volume13
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 12 Jan 2023

Bibliographical note

Copyright © 2023 Pryce, Dauman and Burns-O’Connell. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

Keywords

  • Psychology
  • tinnitus
  • qualitative
  • burden of care theory
  • illness burden
  • treatment burden
  • lived experience

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