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Clinical Protocol to Promote Standardization of Basic Tinnitus Services by Audiologists.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Henry, JA; Manning, C
Published in: Am J Audiol
April 22, 2019

Purpose Clinical services for tinnitus are needed by millions of people annually. These services have not been standardized, and patients are vulnerable to receiving services that may appear legitimate but are not based on research evidence. The purpose of this clinical focus article is to promote standardization of tinnitus services by proposing an efficient clinical protocol for audiologists. Method The suggested clinical protocol is based primarily on research conducted at the National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research for the past 2 decades, with the focus on 2 randomized controlled trials completed recently that showed efficacy of an audiologic protocol involving hearing aids and brief tinnitus counseling. The protocol is mostly consistent with clinical practice guidelines that have been published. Results The two National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research randomized controlled trials revealed significant reduction of tinnitus functional effects for both hearing aids and "combination instruments" (hearing aids with a built-in sound generator), although there were no significant differences between devices. Existing clinical practice guidelines for tinnitus are summarized with respect to their common recommendations for assessment and intervention. Conclusions A defined clinical protocol is suggested for audiologists, which includes a case history, appropriate referral, audiologic assessment, use of the Tinnitus and Hearing Survey ( Henry, Griest, et al., 2015 ), brief tinnitus counseling, hearing aids or combination instruments as warranted, follow-up assessment, and criteria for determining if further tinnitus-specific services are needed. Use of this protocol can help to promote standardization of tinnitus practice by audiologists.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

Am J Audiol

DOI

EISSN

1558-9137

Publication Date

April 22, 2019

Volume

28

Issue

1S

Start / End Page

152 / 161

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Tinnitus
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Otorhinolaryngology
  • Humans
  • Hearing Tests
  • Hearing Aids
  • Clinical Protocols
  • Audiology
  • 4201 Allied health and rehabilitation science
  • 3202 Clinical sciences
 

Citation

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Henry, J. A., & Manning, C. (2019). Clinical Protocol to Promote Standardization of Basic Tinnitus Services by Audiologists. Am J Audiol, 28(1S), 152–161. https://doi.org/10.1044/2018_AJA-TTR17-18-0038
Henry, James A., and Candice Manning. “Clinical Protocol to Promote Standardization of Basic Tinnitus Services by Audiologists.Am J Audiol 28, no. 1S (April 22, 2019): 152–61. https://doi.org/10.1044/2018_AJA-TTR17-18-0038.
Henry JA, Manning C. Clinical Protocol to Promote Standardization of Basic Tinnitus Services by Audiologists. Am J Audiol. 2019 Apr 22;28(1S):152–61.
Henry, James A., and Candice Manning. “Clinical Protocol to Promote Standardization of Basic Tinnitus Services by Audiologists.Am J Audiol, vol. 28, no. 1S, Apr. 2019, pp. 152–61. Pubmed, doi:10.1044/2018_AJA-TTR17-18-0038.
Henry JA, Manning C. Clinical Protocol to Promote Standardization of Basic Tinnitus Services by Audiologists. Am J Audiol. 2019 Apr 22;28(1S):152–161.

Published In

Am J Audiol

DOI

EISSN

1558-9137

Publication Date

April 22, 2019

Volume

28

Issue

1S

Start / End Page

152 / 161

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Tinnitus
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Otorhinolaryngology
  • Humans
  • Hearing Tests
  • Hearing Aids
  • Clinical Protocols
  • Audiology
  • 4201 Allied health and rehabilitation science
  • 3202 Clinical sciences