It has been proposed that a combination of CBT delivered by a mental health provider and AC should be implemented as an optimal tinnitus management protocol.31,32 Results of this and a number of other recent studies 16,32,33 encourage an integrated, interdisciplinary approach.
Findings of the present study were applied toward development of a hierarchical and interdisciplinary tinnitus management protocol, Progressive Tinnitus Management (PTM).22,34 Components of VET CBT-T were selected for the intervention provided with PTM, modified as per the feedback from participants in this study. This approach was combined with components of the AC intervention, further complemented by sound therapy. The new combined protocol was tested in a pilot telephone study of PTM for veterans and military members with positive results.32 Two VA-supported RCTs of PTM have since been completed.35,36 Results indicate that relative to wait list control, PTM is effective in mitigating negative effects of tinnitus.
Last, after this pilot study, the protocol was modified to address participants’ concerns that their primary care and other providers were unaware that interventions for tinnitus exist. Providers offering tinnitus care are now encouraged to share its availability with veterans and other clinicians. This study provides compelling evidence that veterans respond to messages of hope from providers that they do not needlessly have to suffer alone. Rather than telling veterans to “just live with it,” primary care providers should be able to offer ideas and services for learning how to live with tinnitus.
Future Directions
Future revisions of VET CBT-T could incorporate “acceptance” as a concept for coping with tinnitus, components such as self-hypnosis and exposure therapy, and strategies for coping with hearing loss and communication difficulties. Reexamination of the number and length of sessions also is encouraged, as well as integration of evidence-based interventions for comorbid conditions such as PTSD, substance use disorders, and insomnia. Perhaps increasing the use of peer support services would help reach veterans concerned by the stigma of receiving mental health care. Some veterans were dissatisfied with hearing about others’ mental health concerns. It may be beneficial to offer tinnitus interventions to cohorts of veterans identified with specific comorbid mental health or substance use disorders. However, peer support may be more important than protecting veterans from hearing about others’ mental health concerns as social cognitive theory suggests.
Limitations
This feasibility study’s strict inclusion criteria resulted in a small but well-defined sample that may not be representative of the larger population of veterans who could potentially benefit from these interventions. The extensive evaluation requirements and eligibility requirements likely enhanced the internal validity of the trial but may have compromised the external validity and generalizability of the study findings.
While a few women were assessed during the eligibility process, unfortunately, only men were deemed eligible. It is therefore unknown how women veterans would receive this protocol. Currently there is a bias in selecting male participants for tinnitus research. It is hoped that in the future a sample of women veterans could also provide feedback on this tinnitus management protocol developed by the VHA.
The fact that a large proportion of those who made initial contact about the study decided not to follow up is not inconsistent with studies of similar psychological interventions.37 Challenges related to engaging otherwise appropriate candidates in psychological interventions for a range of chronic health concerns have been well described and may apply to tinnitus management.