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10/14/2017  |   11:15 AM - 12:15 PM   |  East Ballroom at Shalala Student Services Building

Thinking outside the box: Alternative tinnitus management options for low-resourced communities

Tinnitus is a global issue impacting the quality of life for millions of sufferers worldwide. Traditional tinnitus assessments routinely involve psychometric measures of subjective tinnitus perception to serve as a counseling tool and to aid the provider in selecting appropriate tinnitus management options. Test equipment such as an audiometer with high frequency capabilities may not be readily accessible in low-resourced communities, limiting a clinician’s ability to obtain psychometric measures. Sound therapy is a universally accepted means for facilitating a reduction in tinnitus disturbance levels and is commonly employed using devices such as hearing aids, ear level sound generators, or personal listening devices. While these devices are effective means for tinnitus management, they are often in limited supply in low- and middle-income countries. This presentation encourages clinicians to think outside the box when providing tinnitus care in their community. Assessment tools that are readily accessible and easy to administer such as health history forms, subjective questionnaires, and somatosensory screening techniques all allow for effective triage of the tinnitus patient. Alternative, low-cost coping techniques such as aromatherapy, deep breathing, guided imagery, mindfulness, smart device apps, counseling resources and exercises to “busy the auditory screen” can be offered when psychometric measures or sound therapy devices are not available or can be used concomitantly when sound enrichment resources are available.

• After this course learners will be able to identify commonly used self-report tinnitus questionnaires, analyze results, and explain how to correlate patient symptoms.
• After this course learners will be able to discuss the benefits of utilizing relaxation and distraction as coping techniques for tinnitus patients.
• After this course learners will be able to apply aromatherapy, deep breathing, guided imagery, and mindfulness exercises to their current battery of tinnitus management services.

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Tricia Scaglione (POC,Primary Presenter), University of Miami Health System , tscaglione@med.miami.edu;
Tricia Sheehan Scaglione, AuD, F-AAA, CCC-A is the Director of the Tinnitus and Sound Sensitivities Clinic, Co-Director of Clinical Education in Audiology, and Assistant professor for the University of Miami Department of Otolaryngology. Board certified in Audiology, Dr. Scaglione specialized training and education includes auditory and vestibular diagnostics, tinnitus and sound sensitivities, hearing aids, and evoked potentials. She currently serves as a Board member and lead educator for the Tinnitus Practitioners Association and has given presentations at state, national, and international meetings.