Background
This study aims to investigate any effects of using the MindEar app on tinnitus distress while awaiting therapy. This involves using questionnaires to test whether a digital therapeutic intervention (MindEar) will enable patients to start managing their tinnitus earlier and reduce the risk of symptoms worsening during an anxious wait for treatment. The study uses data generated by the app and a short survey to investigate how patients on an NHS waiting list use the app, how easy or difficult they find it, and their opinions of it. The next stage of the study will gather the opinions of hearing therapists who subsequently see these patients for treatment via a focus group.
Impact of ENT UK Foundation funding
The ENT UK Foundation Grant will allow us to employ a research assistant at a later stage of the study to help with data analysis after the surveys have been completed.
Current Status
The study is currently moving through the NHS approvals process. A full set of study documents (protocol, patient information, project costing, etc.) has been submitted to the Joint Research Office at UCL/UCLH, and an ethics form has been completed. Approval has been received from The Clinical Research Feasibility Committee at UCLH. We hope to be able to start recruiting participants in May.
While we are disappointed that our project has been delayed, we are confident that the study will run smoothly once it is underway. We have been pleased by positive mainstream media coverage of MindEar, which has dramatically increased public awareness of this type of intervention. We believe this will positively affect our recruitment and the eventual publishing of our study.