Third party disability for significant others of individuals with
tinnitus: A cross-sectional survey design
Abstract
Background: The impact of tinnitus on significant others (SOs) is
largely unknown. Objectives: The study aims included investigating
third-party disability in a sample of SOs of individuals with tinnitus
and to investigate factors associated with third-party disability.
Design: The study used a cross-sectional survey design. Setting: The
study was undertaken online Participants: Individuals with tinnitus
together with their SOs completed questionnaires online. Outcome
measures: The SO sample completed the newly developed Consequences of
Tinnitus on Significant Others Questionnaire (CTSOQ). Individuals with
tinnitus completed standardized self-reported outcome measures for
tinnitus severity, anxiety, depression, insomnia, hearing related
quality of life, tinnitus cognitions, hearing disability and hyperacusis
to identify any associations between these scores and those of the
significant others. Results: A total of 194 pairs of individuals with
tinnitus and their SOs that participated, with a mean age of 57 and 56
years, respectively. The CTSOQ showed that 37 (19%) of SOs had mild
impact, 58 (29%) had significant impact, and 101 (52%) had severe
impact. The clinical variables of tinnitus severity, anxiety and
hyperacusis in individuals with tinnitus were the best predictors of the
impact of tinnitus on SOs. Conclusions: This study indicates that SOs of
individuals with tinnitus may experience third-party disability. The
effect of the individual’s tinnitus on SOs may be greater when the
individual with tinnitus has greater tinnitus severity, anxiety and
hyperacusis. Ways of mitigating these effects should be prioritized such
as involving them in the tinnitus management process.