Positive experiences associated with tinnitus and balance problems

Abstract

Positive experiences have been investigated in a variety of conditions including hearing impairment. In the present investigation we have studied positive experience associated with tinnitus and with balance disorders using an open-ended questionnaire. The first was investigated in consecutive patients attending a tertiary level tinnitus clinic in Wales and the second as part of a study on members of the Finnish Meniere Federation. Forty-one per cent of the respondents with tinnitus listed one or more positive experiences as did 26% of the respondents with balance problems. Using a qualitative analysis, the most common theme to emerge in both groups was 'Treatment-related'. 'Personal development' and 'Diseasespecific' were also themes common to both groups and the tinnitus patients also reported effects on 'Other people', either that they had been helpful or that they themselves had developed empathy with other sufferers. We argue that discussion of such positive experiences would be valuable in the therapeutic counselling of both groups.

Positive experiences reported by people with Ménière's disorder: A quantitative study

“…In our earlier studies we asked patients to articulate the positive experiences that they noticed in relation to Ménière's disorder in particular, as well as to hearing, tinnitus and balance problems in general [3,5,9]. It was difficult in such studies to examine the relationships with other factors and in particular with general measures of the perceived impact of the condition.…”

“…The questionnaire about the positive experiences associated with Ménière's disorder comprised 27 questions, 18 derived from our earlier qualitative study on Ménière's disorder [9], supplemented by 3 each on hearing problems, tinnitus and balance problems derived from the separate studies on those symptoms [4,5]. The 18 questions derived from our qualitative study comprised three questions from each of the six themes identified in that study, and comprised representative statements made by the respondents.…”

“…In addition, there have been a number of qualitative and quantitative studies of positive experiences related to hearing impairment [3,4], tinnitus and balance problems, which have highlighted the presence of both auditory and non-auditory effects [5]. An earlier quantitative study, on positive experiences associated with hearing impairment [4], showed that some of these related positively to measures of participation restriction (involvement in behaviours that are restricted by the disorder [6]), while others related negatively or not at all.…”

Positive experiences related to living with tinnitus: A cross‐sectional survey

“…Within auditory‐related conditions, positive experiences have been reported by patients with hearing and balance disorders and by their significant others . There is, however, only one empirical study by Kentala and colleagues published regarding the positive experiences of those with tinnitus . In this study, qualitative analysis of an open‐ended question was used to identify positive experiences.…”

The influence of psychological factors in Meniere′s disease

“…[123] The disease is chronic and its etiology is still unknown. However, the endolymphatic hydrops is the most common pathophysiologic correlate.…”