NHS Audiology and in ear noise generator - Tinnitus UK

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NHS Audiology and in ear noise generator

_Barnabas profile image
12 Replies

Hi everyone

I have a referral to NHS audiology - it is going to take a few weeks I expect before I get an appointment. I am hoping that they may advise an in ear sound generator to help manage the T. I only have slight hearing loss so doubt I would get or need a hearing aid. Would like to know how anyone else has got on with such devices as well as how helpful NHS audiology may have been.

Thanks.

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_Barnabas profile image
_Barnabas
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12 Replies
doglover1973 profile image
doglover1973

Hi Barnabas. I've no experience of audiology yet .. Still waiting for ENT . A year in July !!! Hope you get your appointment soon and all goes well. Let us know.

_Barnabas profile image
_Barnabas in reply to doglover1973

Thanks will do.

Poppycat1234 profile image
Poppycat1234

Hi Barnabas, I'm in a similar situation to you in that they don't recognise me as having much hearing loss (my hearing is fine up to 8KHz to which they test but drips off quite dramatically after that which I attribute my tinnitus to) I was offered sound generators earlier this year to try and help with the tinnitus and hyperacusis (mostly for the hyperacusis) so they should be available through the NHS, though they had never offered me them in the previous few years over which I had suffered tinnitus so it's definitely worth asking about them specifically if you wish to try them.

I haven't got around to taking them up on them yet due to covid but it is something I think would help if they are programmed correctly. Having done a lot of reading on Tinnitus retraining therapy my understanding is that they should be programmed so that the the volume of it mixes with the tinnitus and so still allows you to hear the tinnitus but will help 'take the edge off' it. I certainly think they would be helpful if you are having an acute flair up of your tinnitus.

As far as other NHS services for tinnitus it very much seems like a postcode lottery. My local hospital do a basic audiological examination and if nothing physically treatable is found they offer basic stress management advice for tinnitus. I wished to pursue CBT for tinnitus but was told that that specific service wasn't available and that I would have to be referred by my GP for CBT by a general CBT practitioner who would not necessarily have any specific training on tinnitus. I asked to be referred to a hospital with more services 50 miles away but was unfortunately rejected due to my location.

Hopefully you have a bit more success with local services though. I'd be grateful if you would keep in touch with how you get on with the sound generators if you do go down that route.

Sorry a bit of a ramble there.

All the best.

_Barnabas profile image
_Barnabas in reply to Poppycat1234

Many thanks for your reply Poppycat. I’m in Milton Keynes but don’t know how good they will be. I paid to do a CBT for tinnitus course online with two zoom sessions with a counsellor which was very good - a lovely lady called Debbie Feathersrone who was recommended to me by the BTA. I really need to complete the remaining modules. My T got better so I drifted away from it but now need to complete it as T has got loud again. I would consider paying to go for private audiology but want to see what the NHS can offer first before dipping into my savings to buy any devices.

Lanzarotelover profile image
Lanzarotelover

I am going for tinnitus counselling on Thursday ( booked through the ENT consultant ) don’t know what that entails ,but I’ll try anything . I’ll let you know what they offer .

_Barnabas profile image
_Barnabas in reply to Lanzarotelover

Hope it goes well. Please do let us know how you get on.

Lanzarotelover profile image
Lanzarotelover in reply to _Barnabas

👍

Lanzarotelover profile image
Lanzarotelover in reply to Lanzarotelover

Hi Barnabas said I’d let you know how I got on with the Tinnitus counselling . It went well , have been fitted with a noise generator , just fits in one ear . Had a choice of sounds . I’ll see how I get on with it . I will keep you informed .

_Barnabas profile image
_Barnabas in reply to Lanzarotelover

Thanks. I really hope it helps your T

Lanzarotelover profile image
Lanzarotelover in reply to _Barnabas

👍

Parrcj profile image
Parrcj in reply to Lanzarotelover

Hi can you advise what a noise generator is please .

I am looking at trekz air has anybody any views, comments on these..

I have app with neurology in Dec, and Ent are going to call me at some point. I would like have all the options available to me ready for my visit been waiting for over year so need the be prepared .

My T is constant in right ear I am searching for anything that might reduce it a little. Took sleep aid last two nights but make you feel groggy the next day . As soon as I wake its there not sure how I can live with this. Tried listening to sleep must through my pods is this good or bad to use them ? Not sure

Very low now avoiding going into restaurants or noisy places so my social life is suffering also.

I feel for all T sufferers, I don't think anyone gets or understands the torment we have every day .

Look forward to any advice

Thank you

N0743 profile image
N0743

Audiology were absolutely fantastic, so much better that ENT which was a really negative experience. I have slight ear loss and were given hearing aid which has been a positive. I have intermittent T which has made it harder to habituate , but def not given up and i am sure it will come. Good luck

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