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Development and field testing of a smartphone "App" for tinnitus management
James A Henry1,2, Emily Thielman1, Tara Zaugg1
1a Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Research and Development Service, National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research, VA Portland Health Care System , Portland , OR , USA.
Objective:
This study's objective was to develop and test a smartphone app that supports learning and using coping skills for managing tinnitus.
Design:
The app's content was based on coping skills that are taught as a part of progressive tinnitus management (PTM). The study involved three phases: (1) develop a prototype app and conduct usability testing; (2) conduct two focus groups to obtain initial feedback from individuals representing potential users; and (3) conduct a field study to evaluate the app, with three successive groups of participants.
Study Sample:
Participants were adults with bothersome tinnitus. For Phase 2, two focus groups were attended by a total of 17 participants. Phase 3 involved three consecutive rounds of participants: five from the focus groups followed by two rounds with 10 participants each who had not seen the app previously.
Results:
In both the focus groups and field studies, participants responded favourably to the content. Certain features, however, were deemed too complex.
Conclusion:
Completion of this project resulted in the development and testing of the delivery of PTM coping skills via a smartphone app. This new approach has the potential to improve access to coping skills for those with bothersome tinnitus.
