Tinnitus Therapy
Tinnitus is the experience of hearing noises that are not
present in the environment. Many people hear these noises but they
do not find them troublesome. However some people have bothersome
or intrusive tinnitus.
Tinnitus Therapy is a type of therapy which supports people who
are finding that their tinnitus is negatively impacting on their
quality of life. There are many ways of managing tinnitus which can
help to reduce how bothersome it is. Tinnitus Therapy sessions will
help you to learn about tinnitus and you will be supported in
finding methods of managing it so that you can work towards
reducing any negative impact of tinnitus on your life.
Download our Tinnitus Rehabilitation leaflet here.
Hyperacusis Therapy
Hyperacusis is a sensitivity to sound. It is common to have
sensitivity to loud sounds. However Hyperacusis Therapy may be
needed if the sensitivity to sounds is negatively impacting a
person's quality of life. Hyperacusis Therapy aims to support
people in working towards reducing their sensitivity to sounds.
Frequently asked questions
Why might I need a Tinnitus or Hyperacusis Therapy
appointment?
We have received a referral stating that you need tinnitus or
hyperacusis support. This may have followed a GP or Ear Nose
& Throat (ENT) appointment.
If you feel this appointment is not needed please let us
know.
What appointment will I be offered?
You may be offered a group tinnitus information session or a 1-1
appointment. Please let us know if you would prefer to be seen in a
1-1 session rather than as part of a group. If you attend a group
session you will also be offered a 1-1 session following this.
What happens during the group tinnitus session?
You will be seen in a small group. A Hearing Therapist/Senior
Audiologist will present information on tinnitus and tinnitus
management strategies. You will be given the opportunity to ask any
questions that you may have. You will also be given some
information leaflets to take away with you.
Following your group session, you will be asked if you would
like a 1-1 appointment with a Specialist Audiologist/Hearing
Therapist to discuss your tinnitus and explore individual
management strategies.
What preparation do I need to do?
Before your visit if you have any special communication needs
please contact us as soon as possible, i.e. if you need a specific
interpreter/Bristish Sign Language (BSL) signer or other please let
us know.
If you are late for your appointment, it may not be possible to
see you and the appointment may need to be rearranged.
Can I bring someone with me?
If you would like to be accompanied by a friend, relative or
carer we would welcome this. It can be very helpful having
some extra support. It can make all the difference to putting the
information into practice and we would recommend this wherever
possible.
Who will I see for my 1-1 tinnitus or hyperacusis
assessment?
You will see a trained specialist called an Audiologist/Hearing
Therapist. They will be registered with either the Health Care
Professions Council or the Registration Council for Clinical
Physiologists. These are the organisations responsible for ensuring
that all Audiology professionals are competent and appropriately
trained.
As a teaching hospital you may on occasion be seen by a student
Audiologist on a clinical placement with us from their University.
If you prefer notto be seen by students then please let us know
before your appointment date to enable us to rearrange our
schedule.
What happens during the appointment?
The specialist may examine your ears using an otoscope and
sometimes it is necessary to do further tests. The specialist will
explain these to you at the time should this be needed.
During your visit, you will be asked a number of questions about
your hearing/tinnitus history. A questionnaire may be used to
highlight the areas of most need. Based on this we will outline
options, tactics and strategies for self-management of your
tinnitus or hyperacusis.
What happens next?
We usually plan a follow-up in 3 months to see how you have been
getting on with using the tinnitus or hyperacusis management
strategies that we discussed during your appointment.
If a hearing aid or other device is recommended and you agree to
this an appropriate appointment will also be made for this to be
carried out.
A report giving information on your treatment plan will be
sent to the referrer/your GP. Please let us know if you would like
a copy of your report.
Following this appointment we may feel a referral to ENT/GP or
other agencies may be appropriate for additional support. We will
discuss this with you before any referral is made. You can decline
to be referred on to another service.
Where can I find additional support or information?
- Tinnitus UK- Tinnitus UK (previously know as the British
Tinnitus Association) website is a good source of clear and
accurate information about tinnitus. Additionally Tinnitus UK have
a confidential helpline: 0800 018 0527. The team answering calls
are trained to be able to provide information on tinnitus, as well
as offer emotional support. Alternatively you can email: helpline@tinnitus.org.uk
What if I can't find the answer to my question on this
website?
If you have any questions not answered by this FAQ section
please don't hesitate to contact us for further information.
Telephone:0117 342 5854
Email: audiology.dept@uhbw.nhs.uk
We welcome any comments or feedback about your appointment, as
this helps us to make changes to patient care.
Please note emails sent to Audiology.dept@uhbw.nhs.uk
are insecure.
