Audiology practice in assessing and managing tinnitus: a cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Otolaryngology
• Public Health

Background:

• Tinnitus significantly impacts quality of life, necessitating effective management strategies.
• Current practices in tinnitus assessment and management among audiologists in Saudi Arabia are not well-documented.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate current audiology practices for tinnitus assessment and management in Saudi Arabia.
• To identify areas for improvement in tinnitus care delivery within the region.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 96 audiologists in Saudi Arabia using an electronic questionnaire.
• The questionnaire assessed appointment structure, assessment tools, management strategies, outcome measures, and audiologist satisfaction.

Main Results:

• Few workplaces (14.6%) had specialized tinnitus clinics, and appointments were often brief.
• While audiological tests were common, psychoacoustic measures and validated questionnaires were rarely used. Management relied heavily on hearing aids and counseling, with limited psychological interventions.
• Audiologists reported moderate satisfaction (mean 3.25/5), with higher satisfaction linked to specialized clinics and multidisciplinary teams, though these factors lacked statistical significance in regression analysis.

Conclusions:

• Tinnitus practice in Saudi Arabia exhibits significant variations, likely due to insufficient training and resources.
• Enhancing tinnitus care requires establishing evidence-based guidelines, expanding professional training, and optimizing resource allocation.
• Improvements in these areas are essential for consistent, high-quality tinnitus care and improved patient well-being.