Tinnitus is a common condition, characterized by the perception of ringing or noises in the head without an external source, that impacts numerous individuals worldwide, including those in Canada. The variability in tinnitus distress levels is thought to stem, at least in part, from diverse personality traits and the resulting emotional reactions to the condition. This study contributes to the growing body of research investigating the individuality of tinnitus sufferers and seeks to shed light on specific factors that contribute to their levels of associated distress. The investigation focused on two main factors: Desire for Control (an individual’s general inclination to assert control over life events) and Self-Efficacy for Tinnitus Management (confidence in effectively handling and managing tinnitus). The primary objective was to uncover any associations among these two factors and a patient's level of tinnitus distress. By understanding how these constructs interrelate, a deeper understanding of contributions to distress among those grappling with tinnitus can be gained. The significance of this research lies in its potential to enhance the support and interventions provided to tinnitus patients by healthcare professionals. An online survey collected responses from 130 Canadian adults regarding their health status and experiences with tinnitus. The study confirmed a robust correlation between the Self-Efficacy for Tinnitus Management Questionnaire (SETMQ) scores and the extent of distress experienced by individuals with tinnitus. The SETMQ, therefore, holds promise as a valuable instrument for identifying domains in which patients could benefit from additional support to alleviate their tinnitus-related distress. The study also revealed that there was no correlation between generalized desire for control and tinnitus-related distress. These results suggest the need for a new Desirability for Control scale similar in tinnitus-specificity to the SETMQ. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / Tinnitus comes from the Latin verb “tinnire” which means “to ring”. It is often described as a persistent ringing in the ears that has no external source. Some, but not all, people find their tinnitus debilitating. This study examined whether people who strongly desire control but lack confidence in managing their tinnitus, experience higher stress because of it, compared to those with lower control needs or higher self-confidence. The results showed that having confidence in managing tinnitus is correlated with having lower distress, but there is no definite conclusion regarding the need for control. The results of this study suggest that a new method to measure the desire for control in a context specific to tinnitus is needed.

The objective of this study was to describe the influence of tinnitus distress on quality of life (QoL) outcomes in adult cochlear implant (CI) recipients who experience tinnitus, and to investigate the prognostic significance of tinnitus distress over time. A retrospective, longitudinal study of 210 adult (_18 years) CI recipients implanted between 2001 and 2017 was conducted. Data on hearing-related QoL, using the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) and tinnitus distress, using the Tinnitus Reaction Questionnaire (TRQ) were captured preoperatively as well as at 6-months, 12-months and >24-month postoperatively. The effect of tinnitus distress on hearing-related QoL outcomes over time was determined. Furthermore, 13 potential predictive factors were identified from the retrospective dataset, including demographic, hearing loss, CI, speech perception and tinnitus related factors. Multiple regression analyses were performed to identify variables that influence hearing-related QoL outcomes over time. Lower tinnitus distress and younger age at implantation were the only two out of 13 possible predictor variables that were identified as significant predictors of better hearing-related QoL in adult CI recipients. A general trend of statistically significant (p<0.01) tinnitus relief was evident from the preoperative interval to the 6-months, 12-months and >24-months postoperative intervals, confirming significant relief in tinnitus distress up to more than two years post-implantation. Within this dataset, higher levels of tinnitus distress were associated with poorer hearing-related QoL outcomes, as confirmed by the negative correlation between tinnitus distress and hearing-related QoL. This study contributes to a better understanding of the complex influence that multifactorial variables has upon the hearing-related QoL outcomes of adult CI recipients. This enables clinicians to provide evidence-based preoperative counselling combined with postoperative rehabilitation to adult CI recipients and their families. Not only was tinnitus distress confirmed as a predictive factor for hearing-related QoL in this study, but also the association between residual tinnitus distress and hearing-related QoL. These results emphasize the importance of identification, counselling and timely monitoring of adult CI recipients who experience tinnitus. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2019. / Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology / MA / Unrestricted

Tinnitus ist eine Erkrankung mit hoher Prävalenz, welche häufig psychische Störungen nach sich zieht, Mit der Studie sollte untersucht werden, in welchen konkreten Dimensionen die gesundheitsbezogene Lebensqualität bei Tinnituspatienten eingeschränkt ist, und wie sich diese Einschränkungen während und nach Therapie, einschließlich hyperbarer Sauerstofftherapie, ändern. 120 ambulant oder stationär behandelte Patienten mit Tinnitus wurden zu drei Zeitpunkten untersucht. Eingesetzt wurden die Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, das Multidimensinal Fatigue Inventory und der Lebensqualitätsfragebogen EORTC QLQ-C30. Im Vergleich zu Personen der Allgemeinbevölkerung waren die Tinnituspatienten in allen Bereichen beeinträchtigt, am stärksten in den Skalen Soziale, Kognitive, Emotionale und Rollen-Funktionsfähigkeit sowie im Bereich finanzielle Schwierigkeiten. Im Laufe der Therapie verbesserten sich die Werte, so dass sich der Abstand zum Niveauder Allgemeinbevölkerung etwa halbierte.