Help seeking for tinnitus – experiences of the diagnostic and treatment process
By Charlotte Rogers

Population-based and self-selecting adult participants of this Australian cohort study (n=281) completed survey questions exploring varied outcome measures related to tinnitus. Primary outcomes assessed communication of initial tinnitus diagnoses and subsequent treatment offering, with participants rating their satisfaction at the care received and their experiences. Surveys included patient satisfaction with communication and a functional assessment of chronic illness therapy-treatment measure. Authors suggest help-seekers for tinnitus report negative counselling from practitioners, in turn leading them to seek help elsewhere. In seeking support, patients experience poor interpersonal clinician communication skills and perceived lack of clinical competency. Environmental factors (accessibility, continuity) also significantly influence patient satisfaction, tinnitus distress reduction and resulting help-seeking behaviours. Low satisfaction with initial discussion, diagnostic conversation and explanation across interactions with all disciplines (GP, ENT, audiology) is reported. Participants show higher satisfaction in appointments conducted by audiologists, and results indicated significant association between patient satisfaction with communication and type of healthcare provider. Where participants struggled significantly with their symptoms they were less likely to report successful and helpful treatment. Interestingly, the study also indicates that relatively few of those seeking help progress to receiving a form of treatment or intervention. Results also suggest that where help-seeking needs are unmet, participants pursued other routes of care provision. Overall, help-seekers are likely to feel dissatisfied with first interactions and treatments, leading to seek out further intervention and / or support and care routes. Recommendations are made for training and education of healthcare providers to understand tinnitus and associated distress, alongside provision of a comprehensive approach to psychosocial wellbeing through enhanced collaboration between tinnitus specialists and allied healthcare providers.

Helpseeker satisfaction with diagnosis and treatment of tinnitus.
Carmody N, Hunter M, Eikelboom RH.
INT J AUDIOL
2024;63(12):1019–26.