Telehealth tinnitus therapy during the COVID-19 outbreak in the UK: uptake and related factors
Hashir Aazh, De Wet Swanepoel, Brian C. J. Moore
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The Audiology Department at the Royal Surrey County Hospital usually offers face-to-face audiologist-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for tinnitus rehabilitation. During COVID-19 lockdown, patients were offered telehealth CBT via video using a web-based platform. This study evaluated the proportion of patients who took up the offer of telehealth sessions and factors related to this. DESIGN: Retrospective service evaluation. STUDY SAMPLE: 113 consecutive patients whose care was interrupted by the lockdown. RESULTS: = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: Although CBT via telehealth was acceptable to most patients, alternatives may be necessary for the 20% who declined. These tended to have worse hearing in their better ear and more annoying tinnitus.