AUDIOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF A GROUP OF TINNITUSSUFFERERS, PRIOR TO TINNITUS MANAGEMENT-TRAINING

A profile of audiological and psychological characteristics, obtained before starting tinnitus management training, is presented for 96 subj ects with tinnitus. Variability was marked in all measures. A history of headaches, neck or back pain, or balance problems was not related t o the ability to cope with tinnitus. The coping strategies used to man age tinnitus were influenced by the beliefs held about tinnitus, but t he coping strategies chosen were not necessarily effective. No gender differences were found in coping ability or overall stress levels, alt hough there were gender differences on some psychological measures and stress influences. Subjects who had previously sought assistance diff ered from those who had not in the complexity of the tinnitus sounds, the level of emotional reaction and the use of coping behaviours.