Beukes Eldre Wiida, Ulep Alyssa Jade, Andersson Gerhard, Manchaiah Vinaya
Vision and Hearing Sciences Research Group, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge CB1 1TP, UK.
Virtual Hearing Lab, Collaborative Initiative between University of Colorado School of Medicine and University of Pretoria, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
J Clin Med. 2022 Mar 3;11(5):1393. doi: 10.3390/jcm11051393.
Although chronic conditions could cause third-party disability for significant others (SOs), little is known regarding the impact of tinnitus on SO. This study aimed to identify the effects of tinnitus on SOs. SOs of individuals with tinnitus were invited to participate in this study. SOs completed three open-ended questions focusing on the effects of tinnitus. Individuals with tinnitus completed the Tinnitus Functional Index as a self-reported measure of tinnitus severity. A mixed-methods analysis approach was undertaken. Of the 156 SOs responding, 127 (85%) reported that tinnitus impacted them. The impact surrounded sound adjustments, activity limitations, additional demands, emotional toll, and helplessness. Tinnitus negatively affected the relationship for 92 (58%) due to communication frustrations and growing apart. When asked if tinnitus had any positive effects, 64 (47%) SOs reported positive lifestyle adaptions, personal development, health awareness, and a changed outlook. There was no association between the level of tinnitus severity and SOs reporting that tinnitus had an impact on them individually, their relationships, or those reporting positive experiences. The study highlighted the third-party disability many SOs of individuals with tinnitus experience. The results indicate that SOs may benefit from a shared intervention to help mitigate the negative effects through a better understanding of tinnitus.
尽管慢性病可能会给重要他人（SOs）带来第三方残疾，但关于耳鸣对重要他人的影响却知之甚少。本研究旨在确定耳鸣对重要他人的影响。邀请耳鸣患者的重要他人参与本研究。重要他人完成了三个开放性问题，重点关注耳鸣的影响。耳鸣患者完成了耳鸣功能指数，作为耳鸣严重程度的自我报告指标。采用了混合方法分析方法。在156名回复的重要他人中，127名（85%）报告耳鸣对他们有影响。影响包括声音调整、活动限制、额外需求、情感负担和无助感。由于沟通挫折和关系疏远，耳鸣对92名（58%）的关系产生了负面影响。当被问及耳鸣是否有任何积极影响时，64名（47%）重要他人报告了积极的生活方式适应、个人发展、健康意识和观念转变。耳鸣严重程度与报告耳鸣对他们个人、他们的关系有影响或报告有积极体验的重要他人之间没有关联。该研究强调了许多耳鸣患者的重要他人所经历的第三方残疾。结果表明，重要他人可能会从共享干预中受益，通过更好地了解耳鸣来帮助减轻负面影响。
