Internet-Based Interventions for Adults With Hearing Loss, Tinnitus, and Vestibular Disorders: A Systematic Review...

Area of Science:

• Audiovestibular Health
• Digital Health Interventions
• Evidence-Based Medicine

Background:

• Access to audiovestibular healthcare is improving through internet-based interventions.
• This review focuses on outcomes for adults with hearing loss, tinnitus, and vestibular disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and synthesize outcomes of internet interventions for adults with hearing loss, tinnitus, and vestibular disorders.
• To evaluate the effectiveness and quality of evidence for these digital health solutions.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of electronic databases and manual searches.
• Inclusion of 15 studies (1,811 participants) focusing on hearing loss and tinnitus interventions.
• Data synthesis for tinnitus and hearing loss interventions, with quality appraisal using GRADE.

Main Results:

• Internet interventions for hearing loss showed no significant overall effects, but a moderate effect (d=0.59) emerged after bias adjustment.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy via internet significantly reduced tinnitus distress (d=0.59 vs. inactive, d=0.32 vs. active controls).
• Positive effects on anxiety, depression, insomnia, and quality of life (d=0.28) were observed for tinnitus interventions, with sustained results at 1-year follow-up (d=0.45).

Conclusions:

• Internet-based interventions show potential for accessible, evidence-based care for tinnitus.
• Further high-quality research is needed to establish conclusive results for audiovestibular internet interventions.
• Current evidence quality for these interventions ranges from very low to moderate.