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A cross-sectional questionnaire study of tinnitus awareness and impact in a population of adult cochlear implant users

Gomersall, Philip A.; Baguley, David; Carlyon, Robert P.

A cross-sectional questionnaire study of tinnitus awareness and impact in a population of adult cochlear implant users Thumbnail


Authors

Philip A. Gomersall

David Baguley

Robert P. Carlyon



Abstract

Objectives: The primary aim was to identify the proportion of individuals within the adult cochlear implant population who are aware of tinnitus and those who report a negative impact from this perception, using a bespoke questionnaire designed to limit bias. A secondary aim was to use qualitative analysis of open-text responses to identify themes linked to tinnitus perception in this population.
Design: A cross-sectional questionnaire study of a large clinical population who received an implant from Cambridge University Hospitals, United Kingdom.
Results: Seventy-five percent of respondents reported tinnitus awareness. When impact scores for six areas of difficulty were ranked, 13% of individuals ranked tinnitus their primary concern and nearly a third ranked tinnitus in the top two positions. Tinnitus impact was not found to reduce with duration since implantation. The most common open-text responses were linked to a general improvement postimplantation and acute tinnitus alleviation specific to times when the device was in use.
Conclusions: Tinnitus is a problem for a significant proportion of individuals with a cochlear implant. Clinicians, scientists, and cochlear implant manufacturers should be aware that management of tinnitus may be a greater priority for an implantee than difficulties linked to speech perception. Where a positive effect of implantation was reported, there was greater evidence for masking of tinnitus via the implant rather than reversal of maladaptive plasticity.

Citation

Gomersall, P. A., Baguley, D., & Carlyon, R. P. (2019). A cross-sectional questionnaire study of tinnitus awareness and impact in a population of adult cochlear implant users. Ear and Hearing, 40(1), 135-142. https://doi.org/10.1097/AUD.0000000000000601

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Mar 28, 2018
Online Publication Date Jun 21, 2018
Publication Date Jan 30, 2019
Deposit Date Apr 4, 2018
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Ear and Hearing
Print ISSN 0196-0202
Electronic ISSN 1538-4667
Publisher Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 40
Issue 1
Pages 135-142
DOI https://doi.org/10.1097/AUD.0000000000000601
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/939860
Publisher URL https://doi.org/10.1097/AUD.0000000000000601

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