Patients' Perspectives About the Acceptability and Effectiveness of Audiologist-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Tinnitus and/or Hyperacusis Rehabilitation

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the views of patients who completed audiologist-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) about (a) the effectiveness of the treatment, (b) the acceptability of receiving CBT from audiologists, and (c) the most effective treatment components. Design This was a service evaluation survey with a cross-sectional design. Study Sample The study population comprised 40 consecutive adult patients who received a full course of audiologist-delivered CBT for tinnitus and/or hyperacusis management at a Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Therapy Specialist Clinic in the United Kingdom over a 1-year period. Thirty-one of 40 patients who attended their final session as planned completed the survey questionnaire. Data Collection and Analysis As a part of their routine care, all patients completed a wide range of questionnaires before and after receiving audiologist-delivered CBT. These comprised Tinnitus Handicap Inventory ( Newman, Sandridge, & Bolek, 2008 ); Hyperacusis Questionnaire ( Khalfa et al., 2002 ); Insomnia Severity Index ( Bastien, Vallieres, & Morin, 2001 ); Visual Analogue Scale ( Maxwell, 1978 ) for tinnitus loudness, tinnitus annoyance, and effect of tinnitus on life; Generalized Anxiety Disorder ( Spitzer, Kroenke, Williams, & Lowe, 2006 ) questionnaire; and Patient Health Questionnaire ( Kroenke, Spitzer, & Williams, 2001 ). In addition, patients were asked to complete the survey questionnaire at their final session to provide feedback with regard to their therapy. Results The majority of patients reported that it was very acceptable to them to receive CBT focused on tinnitus and hyperacusis from a specialist audiologist; the median response was 10/10. The majority of patients felt that the CBT was very effective (median response 8/10) and that they were able to manage their tinnitus and/or hyperacusis well (median response 9/10). The effect sizes of treatment based on pre- and postintervention comparison of scores for the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, Visual Analogue Scale of tinnitus annoyance and effect on life, Hyperacusis Questionnaire, Insomnia Severity Index, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Patient Health Questionnaire were large. Conclusions Audiologist-delivered CBT is acceptable to patients and is effective in the management of tinnitus and/or hyperacusis from the patients' perspectives.