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A Study of Social Media Utilization by Individuals With Tinnitus
Aniruddha K Deshpande1,2, Shruti Balvalli Deshpande3,2, Colleen O'Brien3,2
1The Hear-Ring Lab, Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY.
American Journal of Audiology
|November 21, 2018
Summary
Social media platforms offer abundant tinnitus information for patients seeking support and education. However, misinformation is present, necessitating guidance from healthcare professionals.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Digital Health
- Health Communication
Background:
- Tinnitus awareness is growing, with patients increasingly using the internet and social media for health information.
- Social media platforms serve as a space for individuals with tinnitus to seek guidance, share experiences, and connect with others.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and nature of tinnitus-related information on social media platforms.
- To analyze how tinnitus is portrayed across different social media channels.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive analysis of tinnitus content on Facebook (pages and groups), Twitter, and YouTube.
- Keywords used: "tinnitus" and "ringing in the ears."
- Manual examination of platform results based on social media activity metrics (likes, followers, comments).
Main Results:
- Diverse tinnitus information was found across platforms, enabling learning, support, advocacy, and connection with medical professionals.
- Facebook pages showed the highest activity, followed by YouTube videos.
- Misinformation regarding tinnitus was identified on all analyzed social media platforms.
Conclusions:
- Social media platforms contain substantial tinnitus-related information valuable for patient learning and coping.
- Audiologists and clinicians must recognize patients' reliance on social media for tinnitus information.
- Healthcare providers should guide patients toward reliable tinnitus resources to counteract misinformation.
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