Sound therapy and aural rehabilitation for tinnitus: a person centred therapy framework based on an ecological model of tinnitus

Abstract

Purpose: Tinnitus is a common oto-neurological complaint often accompanying hearing loss. In this perspective on rehabilitation we describe a framework for sound therapy and aural rehabilitation of tinnitus based on the ecological model of tinnitus.

Method: A thematic network analysis-based approach was used to relate aural rehabilitation methods to the ecological model of tinnitus and the client-oriented scale of improvement in tinnitus.

Results: Aural rehabilitation methods were mapped to concepts of: (1) Context, (2) presence of sound and (3) reaction to sound. A global theme was: adaptation to sound. The framework is the result of an iterative and cumulative research program exploring tinnitus as the outcome of the relationship between individual psychoacoustics and psychosocial factors including context of perception.

Conclusions: The intent of this framework is to help guide audiologists managing tinnitus. The framework has been useful in our clinic as illustrated by a case study. The benefits of this approach relative to standard care needs to be independently ascertained.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Tinnitus is a common oto-neurological complaint that when severe can be very disabling.

• Tinnitus is very heterogeneous as a consequence of this no one treatment is suitable for everyone.

• The sound therapy and aural rehabilitation for tinnitus framework is designed to assist audiologists in clinical planning that addresses individual needs.

• The framework is the result of an iterative and cumulative research program exploring tinnitus as the outcome of the relationship between individual psychoacoustics and psychosocial factors including context of perception.

Keywords:

• Tinnitus
• therapy
• review
• person-centred
• thematic network

Disclosure statement

Grant D. Searchfield is director of the University of Auckland's Hearing and Tinnitus Clinic and Tinnitus Tunes an online tinnitus resource.

Additional information

Funding

The authors’ tinnitus research is currently funded from grants awarded by the American Tinnitus Association and the Oticon Foundation in New Zealand.