Can anyone recommend tinnitus retraining therapy or CBT providers?

[emmakt_]

I have an ENT appt next Tues for my tinnitus, but am also trying to find providers of TRT or CBT in London, or near to London. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks so much Em x

[doglover1973]

Hi Em. How are you? Hope all goes well next week. I don't have any info on TRT or CBT but I'd be happy to give either a go. I'm in Somerset if anyone knows of any NHS or private clinics.

[emmakt_ in reply to doglover1973]

Hey, not brilliant unfortunately, I've been sectioned as I got to such a low point on Monday, I just can't stand the noise. I'm hoping to be discharged next week in time for the ENT appointment and desperate to find therapy for it hence my post. Xx

[doglover1973 in reply to emmakt_]

Oh. I'm sorry. I know the noise can take a real toll physically and emotionally. Perhaps this will give you a chance to rest and relax . Easier said than done of course. Hopefully you'll be able to see ENT next week . Take care my love.

[rabbits65 in reply to emmakt_]

Hi Em , Penny here, wishing you well. I am not in a very good place with mine at the moment. It’s dreadful . Just remember , your not alone. 😊

[emmakt_ in reply to rabbits65]

Thank you both so much. This forum has been such a lifeline. I'm going to check out the cbt that paramotor mentioned, I hadn't seen that on the website and it's online as well

tinnituseprogram.org/

I've also downloaded the Oto app from the app store and that has helped a lot with my anxiety so would really recommend that too.

[rabbits65 in reply to emmakt_]

I am so pleased for you that your now “ in a better place” so to speak . Good luck with everything 😊

[emmakt_ in reply to rabbits65]

I also found this from Pat's recommendation

thehearingcoach.com/

[rabbits65 in reply to emmakt_]

Thanks Em

[doglover1973 in reply to rabbits65]

Hi rabbit. I hope your tinnitus settles very soon. Thinking of you.

[rabbits65 in reply to doglover1973]

Thank you doglover . And I hope yours does too. This tinnitus is the most weirdest condition ever there was !!!

[emmakt_]

Thank you. Its just so hard to switch off from the noise, just no respite. As I know we all suffer from, this forum has helped so much to know I'm not alone x

[rabbits65 in reply to emmakt_]

Good morning Em, Hope your feeling a bit better today. I know your going to Ent next week and I hope they are helpful there. They will look in your ears and test your hearing but they can’t cure our tinnitus . I’m hoping one day they really do come up with a cure . Please let me know how you get on .

[Hidden]

When I was only a week or so in I was feeling anxious and depressed about it but was kind of hopeful it might just go as quickly as it came, especially when I didn't have any reason why I woke up with it. Still have it 8 months down the line and although I still have really tough days/weeks I have definitely had a few 'break-through' days where I've actually realised I can still 'do' life, even with the many different noises going on in my head trying to suck the joy out of everything. But that's only if I let it. I'm hoping that as more time passes the noises will become less and less important to my brain and I'll stop 'hearing' them, but until that happens I think we just have to carry on with life as best we can. I have two young boys to look after so I've got to plough on through for their sakes. Please try and believe it'll get better with time, you are still in the very early stages. Take each minute at a time for now and try not to think about what'll be happening in the future.

[Hidden]

I also found Julian Cowan-Hill's videos on YouTube very reassuring and also Ben Thompson.

[rabbits65 in reply to Hidden]

Hello Angel , I’ve had mine about a year now and it’s particularly bad lately. Mine is like a fan oven noise in my head. I see your suffering too. Do you know the names of those books too ??

[Hidden in reply to rabbits65]

Hi Penny, Julian does have a book but I haven't read it. It's here if you wanted to take a look - amazon.co.uk/Tinnitus-Tyran...

[doglover1973 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Angel. I've just started reading it. So good. The tenet of the book is that tinnitus is an alarm .. Alerting us to deeper issue/s . This idea really struck a chord with me 🙂

[Paramotor]

Hi Em,

I got CBT through a threapst who specialises in tinnitus cbt. She actually has had T for many years and was an audiologist before becoming a psychotherapist. Its delivered by a online program with some face to face follow up apts. If you goto the bta website there is a link to the program or see below link. It gets into the nuts n bolts of whats happening with your reactions to the T and how we can manage those feelings. Its totally doable to get through this and live with it. Give it a shot you might be surprised. Cheers Sean

tinnituseprogram.org/

[emmakt_ in reply to Paramotor]

Thank you so much Sean, I had no idea this course existed. How long did you do the course for, and how are you doing now?

[Paramotor in reply to emmakt_]

Hi Em, doing just fine and like you was at the probably lowest point. I had anxiety and depression and then got T , so my automatic reactions were how will I ever overcome this as I already struggle. It can ramp up at times and yes cause me some stress but its usually triggered by stress causing a vicious cycle, put it this way a year ago I thought there was no way I could sleep with this ringing in my ear and head , a year on I can and some respects better as stopped all bedtime ipad scrolling and started relaxation ( e course requirement). Got prescribed all the meds to start with benzo etc for first few weeks then got stuck into e program. It takes time and some effort, BTA website info was very helpfil. All the best sean

[TinnitusUKPat Partner]

Hi Emma - glad to see that the community here has as been as brilliant and supportive as always. the Tinnitus E-Program is a 6 or 12 session programme, depending on the level of tinnitus difficulties being experienced. One to one work over Zoom is also available.

There are other providers of online tinnitus support which you can consider - our corporate members list has details of ethical providers of audiology support, tinnitus care and other areas of interest for the tinnitus community:

tinnitus.org.uk/about-our-c...

You'll find the Tinnitus E-Program, the Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Network and the Hearing Coach there, to name but a few.

Take care,

Pat

[emmakt_ in reply to TinnitusUKPat]

Thanks Pat, that's really helpful. I've made an appt at the Tinnitus Clinic for 14th June so can report back on that when I've been and will also look into the eprogram. Best wishes. Em

[doglover1973 in reply to emmakt_]

Hi Em. Can I be nosy .. and ask how you got on at the Tinnitus Clinic? What do they offer in terms of tinnitus relief? No worries if you don't want to share.

[emmakt_]

Hey no worries, of course

I saw a really lovely senior audiologist called Shamim Patel who was very thorough and helpful. She did a number of different tests, my ear pressure was fine as were my eardrums and I don't have hyperacuisis. She found some mild hearing loss in my upper 8 to 10Hz range which is in line with my age (43). She believes the tinnitus was brought on by a temporary threshold shift in noise as I'd gone from being in the quiet environment of my flat into a bar and restaurant. Unfortunately my pre existing anxiety has latched onto it and made it a focal point, and therefore I need CBT to help retrain my brain's reaction to the noise. This isn't something I didn't know but it was helpful to have her explain it to me and reinforce that I have to keep positive about the progress 8 can make even tho it doesn't feel like the tinnitus will ever get less intrusive.

They have a therapist who does integrative therapy including CBT called Dr Julianne Mullen and I've been lucky enough to get a Skype appt with her today.

thetinnitusclinic.co.uk/tin...

Shamim did talk to me about TDT but I don't feel that's right for me at the moment. They do offer it tho and said within 3 months most people see relief and difference although of course its very expensive. She did mention an app called Starkey where you can effectively use the masks to attenuate your tinnitus over time.

I'm very lucky to have been able to use my savings to do this, and if you do have the ability to go privately I would recommend it. The appt with Shamim was £195, and sessions with Julianne are £60 for an hour.

Hope that's helpful and you are doing OK.

Em x

[doglover1973]

Thanks so much for the detailed reply. All very interesting. Especially that it was a combo of noise & anxiety for you. It's not overly expensive for the consultation either. I guess the treatment may be considerably more. Let us know how you get on with CBT. It's good the clinic have a counsellor. I'm looking into things locally. London's a step too far for me.

[emmakt_]

I think you said you were in Somerset, so not sure if these places are any easier for you? But with CBT that can be done online:

tthn.co.uk/who-we-are/

thehearingclinic.co.uk/

Will let you know how I get on with the CBT 🙏

Em x

[doglover1973 in reply to emmakt_]

Thanks Em. I'll have a look at both of these links.