Usefulness of emotional intelligence assessment in the treatment of chronic tinnitus

Abstract

　　 The severity of tinnitus is closely linked to emotions, making control of emotional factors crucial to its treatment. This study was aimed at exploring the relationship between emotional intelligence (the ability to manage and adapt to emotions) and the effectiveness of treatment in patients with tinnitus. The Emotional Intelligence Quotient Scale (EQS) questionnaire, categorized into three domains: self-response, interpersonal response, and situational response, was used to assess emotional intelligence, with higher scores indicating higher emotional intelligence. Comparative analysis of the EQS scores throughout a year of treatment in patients who responded or did not respond satisfactorily to tinnitus treatment revealed noteworthy findings. In the group that responded satisfactorily to treatment, the mean scores for all the three domains increased significantly after 12 months, signifying improved emotional intelligence. Conversely, no substantial changes in the EQS scores were observed in the group that did not respond satisfactorily to treatment. These results suggest that evaluating emotional intelligence using the EQS and implementing strategies to enhance it could play a pivotal role in advancing tinnitus treatment methods.