By Robert M. Traynor
This article is a part of the September/October 2017, Volume 29, Volume 5, Audiology Today issue.
While some audiologists have been conducting tinnitus management since the 1970s, organized clinical tinnitus treatment programs are a relatively new specialty with an evolving literature base. There are clinical guidelines for managing patients with tinnitus; however, there remains a lack of standardization in the field and varied approaches to management.
Last fall, the American Board of Audiology (ABA) began the development of a comprehensive, assessment-based tinnitus management certificate program for audiologists. The new certificate program reflects the current evidence and experience of a diverse group of experts in the field, providing audiologists with the foundational knowledge needed to assess and manage patients with tinnitus and/or decreased sound tolerance (DST). The first part of the program releases this fall, and part two will follow by spring 2018. Successful completion of both parts will lead to the designation of Certificate Holder–Tinnitus Management (CH–TM) by the ABA.
Program Need
The prevalence of tinnitus indicates a need for audiologists to have adequate training in tinnitus management. The 2007 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) found that among an estimated (SE) 222.1 (3.4) million U.S. adults, 21.4 (3.4) million (9.6 percent [0.3 percent]) experienced tinnitus in the past 12 months. (Bhatt et al, 2016). An earlier analysis of NHANES 1999–2004 survey data found that 25.3 percent (approximately 50 million adults) had experienced some form of tinnitus, with 7.9 percent (approximately 16 million adults) experiencing frequent tinnitus within the past year (Shargorodsky et al, 2010). The prevalence of tinnitus among children and adolescents is somewhat unclear due to variations in study populations and methodologies. The Hearing Health Foundation estimates that about one in three young people have awareness of tinnitus, and about one in 12 experience significant challenges from tinnitus. This data suggests a demand for a significant number of health-care providers, notably audiologists, to have preparation in tinnitus management.
Anecdotal reports indicate that formal audiology education does not include sufficient content on tinnitus management to provide audiologists with the knowledge or confidence to include tinnitus management in their practices. Tinnitus sessions at the American Academy of Audiology’s annual conference have been well-attended, leading to their recording and inclusion in the Academy’s eAudiology library. In addition, an ABA needs assessment survey of 801 audiologists indicated a need for focused training in tinnitus management and a desire for a recognized certificate.
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