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Objective To review and meta-analyze the efficacy of educational counseling alone in tinnitus. Methods We collected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) adhered to PRISMA guidelines. Analyzed the effect of educational counseling alone versus other forms of therapy (psychological or combination) with RevMan 5.3. Results In nine trials, 582 patients receiving educational counseling alone and 759 patients receiving other psychological or combination therapies. During the 3–6 months follow-up, there was no significant difference in the tinnitus recovery rate between these two groups (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.34–1.16, P = 0.14; I2 = 71%, P = 0.00, random-effects model). The tinnitus symptom severity rates were also similar during 1–12 months follow-up (mean difference, 3.59, 95% CI −0.56–7.74, P = 0.09) with heterogeneity among studies (I2 = 74%, P = 0.00; random-effects model). Sensitivity analysis indicated that a single trial containing almost 40% of the patients was the cause of heterogeneity. There was no significant change in tinnitus loudness at the 3 months follow-up (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.42–1.66, P = 0.61), with no significant heterogeneity (I2 = 0%, P = 0.60). Conclusion Educational counseling alone helps to improve tinnitus and related problems, and has the same effect as other psychological or combination therapies. Practice Implications The results of the current analysis may help to develop evidence-based cost-effective treatment(s) for tinnitus, which will be minimally burdensome for the patients.

Objective To examine patient education knowledge, attitude/belief, and practices (KABP) among specialists who manage sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). Methods A cross-sectional study design was employed wherein semi-structured interviews were conducted at a 2017 otorhinolaryngology meeting. In this survey, we asked the respondents about their perspectives regarding the imparting of SSNHL patient education. Results The sample consisted of 84 physicians from 23 cities in Sichuan province. Three quarters of the respondents felt SSNHL patient education was necessary. Notably, 67.9% of the respondents believed that patient education could improve treatment. Half of the respondents provided culturally tailored education (based on US guidelines) inclusive of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) notions of lifestyle adjustments. Internet platforms were an emerging preference for education delivery mode. Only 47.4% of participants reported being satisfied with their current patient education offerings, and these activities were regarded as needing improvement. Conclusion This study captured the perspectives of otorhinolaryngologists and otologists in China regarding the imparting of SSNHL patient education. The results of this survey should support Chinese physician’s implementation of SSNHL patient education. Practice implications Findings obtained with the present survey may be employed to support the importance of SSNHL patient education in China.