주관적 특발성 이명환자의 이명 대처 경험: 현상학적 연구

The Lived Experience in Coping with Subjective Idiopathic Tinnitus : A Phenomenological Study

Purpose : This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of coping among patients with subjective idiopathic tinnitus and to uncover the essence and meaning of their experiences. Methods : A descriptive phenomenological design was employed, incorporating individual in-depth interviews and Colaizzi’s data analysis method. Data were collected from 11 patients between December 2021 and February 2022, continuing until saturation was reached. Results : Participants average age was 46 years. Analysis revealed 63 meaningful statements about coping, resulting in four main themes and twelve sub-themes. The first theme feeling distressed due to not fully understanding tinnitus. The second theme ordinary daily life is disrupted. The third theme difficulty in adapting to tinnitus. The fourth theme living with and embracing tinnitus, including empathy and solidarity among patients, personal efforts to manage the condition, and accepting tinnitus by relinquishing the pursuit of complete recovery. Conclusion : The findings enhances the understanding of the coping experience of patients with subjective idiopathic tinnitus. These insights provide foundational evidence for developing targeted nursing interventions to support tinnitus patients in the future.