Brief introduction:

Individuals with continuous tinnitus often experience distress, anxiety, depression, irritability, poor concentration, and lifestyle changes due to the lack of silence in their life. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is proven to be effective in reducing tinnitus and it’s related distress. In order to increase the accessibility and reach, CBT was provided via the internet guided either by a psychologist or an audiologist. This internet-based treatment delivery of CBT is referred to as iCBT. Research in European countries like Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Germany have indicated its potential effectiveness. There is a dearth of such tinnitus treatment programme in India, where non-standardized and non-evidence based treatment maneuver is in practice.  Adaptation of such protocols in India seems to be a virtuous start towards standard and evidence-based treatment for individuals with tinnitus. The current version of iCBT running consist of an 8-week treatment that is hosted online with interactions to an audiologist. The current study enfolds three phases, aiming to translate the Indian English version of CBT into three Indian Languages (Tamil, Kannada and Hindi) followed by, converting this material into an electronic module with the usage of videos and web-based platform to deliver this treatment. Subsequently the developed iCBT module will undergo a field test to check its feasibility and the satisfaction of the participants with tinnitus who underwent the treatment. The proposed project systematically assesses the acceptability, feasibility and efficacy of iCBT in Indian population.

Study Objectives

1. To translate and adapt CBT for tinnitus into Tamil, Kannada and Hindi Language to be suitable for Indian population and validate the CBT targeting tinnitus treatment.

2.  To develop an internet module for the delivery of CBT (iCBT)

3.  To assess the acceptability of the intervention amongst service users and professionals and determine the feasibility of iCBT in Indian Scenario. 

The study includes 3 phases. 

Phase 1 mainly involves in the translation of treatment material (22 modules) in three Indian Languages with the help of professional translators and then checking the familiarity of words used along with the comprehensibility of the modules by both individuals with tinnitus and non-medical professionals. Finally content validation of the material with the help of subject experts.

Phase 2 involves development of videos that aid in understanding of the modules better and create an internet based platform to host the treatment with the help of our technical team 

Phase 3 involves checking the feasibility of the treatment with the help of individuals with tinnitus. Participants can log in through their phone or laptop and undergo the 8 week treatment for tinnitus. A pre and post evaluation will be carried out to check for any improvement and a semi-structured interview will be conducted to obtain the participants opinion on the treatment and further modification.

The current study is to translate and validate an internet based treatment for tinnitus and check its feasibility in India.