Methods: Data were collected during 2017-2018 mainly through individual in-depth interviews with 15 chronic tinnitus patients until the point of theoretical saturation. Verbatim transcripts and field notes were analyzed using grounded theory methodology developed by Corbin and Strauss.
Results: The basic social process that emerged as the core category about the symptom acceptance of chronic tinnitus patients was identified as “accepting tinnitus as an alarming sign for maintaining good health escaping from the prison of ear ringing.” This process consisted of three phases; ‘desperate effort stage’, ‘reflection of a past life stage’, ‘voluntary change of viewpoint stage.’ Throughout this process, participants applied various strategies to escape from the prison of ear ringing, and they realized that there was no single way out of tinnitus. Instead of focusing on tinnitus, participants reflected on their past life and realized that they didn’t take care of themselves even though they were under strong stress. With this realization, participants voluntarily changed their view on the symptom and accepted it as an alarming sign for a better health. Lack of public awareness about tinnitus and physicians attitude of taking the symptom not seriously had negative impact on their symptom acceptance. On the other hand, support from online patient community and family members turned out to be supportive condition.
Conclusion: The findings from this study show that chronic tinnitus had great impact on the life of the patients. The core category: “accepting tinnitus as an alarming sign for maintaining good health escaping from the prison of ear ringing” shows the agony and endeavor of the patients in the process of accepting the symptom as the part of their life amid lack of social insight into tinnitus. Healthcare providers’ cooperation is needed to build supportive social atmosphere to help these patients win empathy and enhance their coping capabilities and symptom management. The finding will be helpful for developing educational programs and intervention guideline and for providing appropriate counseling services for these people.