Table 4.
SOC protocol adherence as assessed by counselor and comparison between counselor and monitor’s review of checklist
| All checklists | Checklist comparison | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Item checked by: | Audiologists (n = 45) | Audiologists (n = 30) | Protocol Monitor (n = 30) |
| Data forms submitted | N (%) | N | N (%) |
| A. Narrative topic | |||
| Study Participant narrative (“Tell me about your tinnitus”) elicited | 45 (100) | 30 | 30 (100) |
| Cognitive/affective key points in Participant’s narrative summarized | 45 (100) | 30 | 27 (90) |
| “Is there anything else you would like me to know about your tinnitus?” asked of Participant | 45 (100) | 30 | 24 (80) |
| “Do you worry about your tinnitus? What worries you?” asked of Participant | 44 (98) | 30 | 27 (90) |
| Key point about tinnitus “What it is & What it is not” reviewed | 45 (100) | 30 | 28 (93) |
| Key point about tinnitus “Noticing & Ignoring it” reviewed | 44 (98) | 30 | 27 (90) |
| Communicated empathy and understanding of Participant’s thoughts and feelings | 45 (100) | 30 | 19 (63) |
| B. Hearing mechanism topic | |||
| Outer ear described | 44 (98) | 30 | 30 (100) |
| Middle ear described | 44 (98) | 30 | 30 (100) |
| Conductive hearing loss described | 44 (98) | 30 | 25 (83) |
| Inner ear, hair cells, cochlea and auditory nerve described | 45 (100) | 30 | 30 (100) |
| Vestibular system described | 44 (98) | 30 | 25 (83) |
| Sensorineural hearing loss described | 44 (98) | 30 | 27 (90) |
| C. Audiometric/tinnitus/hyperacusis evaluation | |||
| Pure tone audiogram described | 44 (98) | 30 | 30 (100) |
| Speech tests described | 38 (84) | 30 | 26 (87) |
| Acoustic immittance described | 44 (98) | 30 | 25 (83) |
| Tinnitus pitch match described | 44 (98) | 30 | 27 (90) |
| Tinnitus loudness match described | 42 (93) | 30 | 26 (87) |
| D. Coping with tinnitus and/or problem area topic | |||
| Main problem areas of Participant identified | 45 (100) | 30 | 28 (93) |
| Effective ways participant has coped with tinnitus in the past reinforced | 45 (100) | 30 | 24 (80) |
| Use of environmental sound described | 45 (100) | 30 | 28 (93) |
| Specific environmental sound devices described | 45 (100) | 30 | 28 (93) |
| E. Stress topic | |||
| Stress discussed as a problem area | 32 (71) | 23 | 22 (96) |
| Stress reduction programs discussed | 34 (76) | 23 | 23 (100) |
| Relaxation exercises demonstrated | 32 (71) | 23 | 19 (83) |
| Emphasized rationale for/relevance of this particular recommendation in view of Participant’s specific complaint. | 40 (89) | 26 | 17 (65) |
| F. Sleep issue topics | |||
| Sleep discussed as problem area | 37 (82) | 26 | 25 (96) |
| Healthy sleep patterns reviewed | 38 (84) | 26 | 26 (100) |
| Variables that interfere with sleep discussed | 37 (82) | 26 | 23 (88) |
| General recommendations for sleep environment described | 37 (82) | 26 | 26 (100) |
| Recommendations for sound therapy to enhance sleep described | 38 (84) | 26 | 26 (100) |
| Changes study participant thinks would be most helpful to minimize tinnitus interference with his/her sleep identified | 36 (80) | 26 | 11 (42) |
| Emphasized rationale for/relevance of this particular recommendation in view of Participant’s specific complaint | 39 (87) | 27 | 17 (63) |
| G. Concentration issue topics | |||
| Concentration discussed as a problem area | 34 (76) | 26 | 23 (88) |
| Importance of ability to concentrate: memory, productivity, and job performance discussed | 33 (73) | 26 | 15 (58) |
| Use of environmental sounds to enhance concentration ability discussed | 38 (84) | 26 | 20 (77) |
| Attention shifting described | 40 (89) | 28 | 23 (82) |
| Shifting visual and auditory attention exercises conducted | 35 (78) | 28 | 16 (57) |
| Changes in work habits and environment, including short breaks, recommended | 34 (76) | 28 | 15 (54) |
| Tips for staying focused and engaged described | 32 (71) | 28 | 15 (54) |
| Emphasized rationale for/relevance of this particular recommendation in view of study Participant’s specific complaint | 37 (82) | 28 | 16 (57) |
| H. Recommendations, summary, and treatment | |||
| Participant’s area(s) of concern summarized | 45 (100) | 30 | 24 (80) |
| Participant’s choices of treatment options for target areas discussed | 45 (100) | 30 | 24 (80) |
| Participant’s ability to cope with tinnitus (self-efficacy) reinforced | 45 (100) | 30 | 22 (73) |