The Role of Significant Others in Tinnitus

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the impacts of tinnitus on significant others and tinnitus sufferers, the supporting role of significant others and how tinnitus affects relationships. A mixed-model research approach was used to explore the couples’ experience providing and receiving tinnitus-related support. Background: Tinnitus can be impactful and affects tinnitus sufferers’ emotions, cognition, hearing, energy levels and sleep. However, how tinnitus affects significant others of tinnitus sufferers and their relationships have not yet been well explored. This research will investigate the views of tinnitus sufferers as well as their significant others in the hope of developing better tinnitus management strategies. Method: Fifty-one participants were recruited via email or the university website to take an online survey about the impacts of tinnitus on the role they identify themselves with (tinnitus sufferer or significant other), and the relationship. Participants who identified as tinnitus sufferer were asked to complete a Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) questionnaire to assess the severity of tinnitus before completing the survey. Quantitative data was analysed using Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, Dunn’s multiple comparison test, and Spearman correlation matrix. Twenty participants (10 couples) were recruited from The University of Auckland Hearing and Tinnitus Clinic and Hearing Institute (a private audiology clinic in Auckland) in New Zealand. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with tinnitus sufferers and their significant others to explore the effects of tinnitus in relationships and the support given and received. An inductive analysis was used to analyse the transcripts from interviews to develop key themes. Results: Three themes of the impacts of tinnitus shared by the couples were found; “Being less social”, “Negative emotions” and “Communication”. These themes may have negative impacts on relationships. Multiple themes and correlations were found indicating support for tinnitus from significant others can be beneficial for tinnitus sufferers. “Facilitation”, “Assistance”, “Compensation”, “Emotional support” and “Accommodation” were the tinnitus-related support given and received by significant others and tinnitus sufferers, while “Emotional support” and “Facilitation” being the ideal support for tinnitus sufferers. Tinnitus sufferers tend to believe that significant others can help with tinnitus when significant others are confident about providing tinnitus-related support. The significance of appreciation and communication were highlighted in the study. The participants also had mixed views on their experiences dealing with clinicians and the effect of Covid-19 lockdown on tinnitus. Conclusions: This thesis explored the themes and correlations linked a few topics; the role of significant others in tinnitus, the impacts of tinnitus on tinnitus sufferers and their partners, the couples’ experiences navigating tinnitus, the views on hearing health services received and the effects of Covid-19 lockdown on tinnitus. More research is recommended for greater understanding of these research subjects. Clinicians are encouraged to involve significant others in appointments. Knowledge and awareness of tinnitus need to be raised so that more support and resources for couples dealing with tinnitus can be made available.