Health literacy encompasses an individual's capacity to actively search for, comprehend, and apply health-related
information. The Council of Europe acknowledges that health literacy makes an important contribution to safeguarding the
human rights principle of equitable access to healthcare and empowering citizens (Council of Europe, 2023). In this context,
the patient is seen as an active participant rather than a passive recipient of healthcare. The European Health Literacy
Study (HLS-EU), showed that limited health literacy is a challenge in Europe and constitutes a problem not only for
vulnerable groups, but also for the general population. Currently, limited initiatives offer systematic approaches for health
literacy, especially for chronic conditions, for which filtering condition-related information and active engagement is
important (Batterham, et al., 2014).
Tinnitus is a non-communicable disease defined as the sensation of noise in the absence of a corresponding external
sound. It consists of two parameters, a phantom sound in the ears and a degree of reduction in quality of life, often
accompanied by sleeping problems, stress, and depression. Epidemiological studies suggest that it affects 10-30% of adult
population in EU countries. Beside the individual burden, the socioeconomic one is also gigantic. For each country, the cost
is estimated around €6.8 - 21.9 billion per year (Tzirinis et al., 2022; Maes, et al.,2013).
As the most prominent elements of tinnitus are not measurable by objective physical recordings, understanding of its causes
and patients’ heterogeneity is obstructed. This results in differences in healthcare structures and practices followed across
EU (Cima, et al., 2020) and a great variance in the literacy for the condition (Steinmetzger, et al., 2024). The absence of a
common language across disciplines involved acts as a barrier in tinnitus management. This in turn magnifies patients’
obstacles in relation to health literacy in all of its domains.
TinWise aims to empower tinnitus patients by addressing their health literacy needs and translating knowledge into action.
An experienced consortium of academic, clinical and private sector partners ensures that our objectives are met. These
include empowerment of all tinnitus patients across EU, via co-developed gamified health literacy content, and a chatbot,
knowledge exchange, and enhancement of skills for effective resource utilization amongst all EU clinicians focusing chronic
tinnitus.
Activities encompass 5 learning and teaching events in which patients co-develop the gamified content, are introduced to
effective health literacy resource use, and professionals are instructed in the value of promoting health literacy and the use
of chatbot and gamified interventions. These actions, coupled with 3 multiplier events and 3 project meetings, form a
comprehensive strategy for patient and professional education, fostering innovative health literacy solutions across partners.
Project results encompass a needs analysis, the development of 3 digital serious games, a chatbot and a patient linking
service, integrated in an interactive health literacy platform. RLOs targeting all clinicians will be developed and integrated in
Erasmus+ generated MOOC Tin-TRAC. A manual for developing digital health literacy resources will be delivered. Thereby,
TinWise anticipates innovative tools, platforms, and resources enhancing health literacy for patients and professionals alike.
TinWise exploits, complements and expands the output of the Erasmus+ project TinWise. The dissemination and exploitation of the outcome will be done both at educational authorities such as the universities and research centers, as well as at clinical centers and patient associations across EU.
Hence, TinWise will:
