Abstract
Tinnitus is a condition that is difficult to treat, and treatment
outcomes are difficult to measure. The majority of
people who experience tinnitus are not troubled by it;
however, the troubled minority are referred by an otorhinolaryngologist
for specialist clinic help. The aim of this
study was to investigate how the impact of tinnitus
changes following attendance at a tinnitus clinic and to
find out how acceptable the questionnaires used were for
measuring recovery. Fifty-seven tinnitus sufferers completed
three questionnaires covering the characteristics of
tinnitus, and its effect on daily life, quality of life, and
quality of family life, before and after treatment at the
Nottingham Tinnitus Clinic. Questionnaires were answered
at patients’ homes while they were on the waiting list to
attend the clinic, and again 1 year after their first attendance.
Measures of functional and social handicap were
significantly reduced following attendance at the clinic
(mean change in functional handicap13%, p0.01,
and mean change in social handicap8%, p0.01).
Quality of life was significantly better after treatment at
the clinic (mean visual analog scale difference6.5%,
p0.01). We conclude that attendance at the Nottingham
Tinnitus Clinic had a positive effect on the impact of tinnitus
on patients and their families, and that the questionnaires
gave an accurate measure of patient distress.
Translated title of the contribution | • A questionnaire study of the quality of life and the quality of family life of individuals complaining of tinnitus pre and post attendance at a tinnitus clinic |
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Original language | English |
Pages (from-to) | 1 - 7 |
Journal | International Journal of Audiology |
Volume | 43 |
Publication status | Published - 2004 |