Tinnitus Counselling

Tinnitus can’t be cured but it can be treated effectively.

Worried about ringing in your ears?

Do you hear a ringing, roaring, clicking or hissing sound in your ears? Do you hear this sound often or all the time? Does the sound bother you a lot? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may have Tinnitus and you should see a Hearing Professional.

Nearly everyone has experienced it at one time or another, but for some, it can be a constant companion. Tinnitus is the Latin word for ‘ringing’: it is the perception of sound in the absence of any corresponding external sound.

It can be heard in one ear or both or, on occasion, unable to be perceived anywhere other than inside your head. It can be a ringing noise, a shushing noise and has even been perceived as a concerto!

What causes Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is a symptom associated with many forms of Hearing problems. In fact it can also be a symptom of other health problems.

It is typically caused by:

Hearing Loss – Most people who have Tinnitus also have some form of Hearing Loss.
Loud Noise – Exposure to loud noise can cause permanent Hearing Loss and Tinnitus. Continued exposure can make the conditions become worse.
Medication – More than 200 medicines, including Aspirin, can cause Tinnitus. If you have Tinnitus and you take medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist whether your medicine could be the cause.

Hear4U offers a consultation to discuss your Tinnitus and provides information and techniques on how to control the symptoms Tinnitus can cause.

Add in Tinnitus Video

We have a wealth of experience in hearing assessments, providing Ear Nose and Throat Specialists with audiometric support at the Coventry and Warwick Hospital in Warwickshire for 6 years. She also provides Tinnitus Counselling at the hospital, utilising her diploma in hypnotherapy and psychology to teach skills in diversion techniques, and stress management.

Tinnitus Therapy & Management

As part of our therapy, we carry out a complete Hearing Assessment including Puretone Audiometry, Tympanometry, Acoustic Reflexes, Otoacoustic Emissions and Speech Discrimination.

Specifically for a Tinnitus assessment, we conduct an interview using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI). This helps us to grade the severity of your condition based on a scoring system recognized across the globe.

Based on your evaluation, we will discuss and implement a treatment plan designed for you. Your management plan could include the use of Hearing Aid Amplification, Sound Therapy and/or Behavioural Modification Therapy.

The Causes of Tinnitus

Tinnitus can be associated with disease of the ear and other anatomical diseases – it is important that we find out what the underlying cause of your problem is.

More often than not, it is caused by underlying hearing loss. However, it can be caused by other problems that are not appropriate for treatment with us.

If we find that your case is not suitable for treatment through Hear4U, we would refer you on to an ENT Specialist to rule out any health-related conditions that could be the cause of your Tinnitus or that which could be treated through medical and/or surgical intervention.

Hypnosis

We can help you take back control with Hypnosis Treatments. Firstly Hypnotherapy can be a quick form of therapy when compared to other forms of psychological help or counselings. CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) can take many sessions to work effectively.

Sound Therapy Treatment

In cases where there is no hearing loss or it is not severe enough for treatment, we would prescribe Sound Therapy devices. Sound therapy has proven to be an effective management tool for many people who suffer from Tinnitus that isn’t associated with underlying hearing loss.

Hearing Aids

There are many options for treatment with Tinnitus, depending on the severity and the underlying cause. In many cases, correction of a hearing loss with well-fitted Hearing Aids will eliminate the symptoms. In the cases where this isn’t enough, we also prescribe Sound Therapy.

Tinnitus FAQ

Is there a cure for Tinnitus?

It is in fact not a disease or an illness. It is a symptom of an underlying problem. Due to the fact that it is a symptom, it is important to understand what the underlying cause is. Unfortunately, there is no known cure, however, there are many treatment options. One of the best treatments at Hear4U is the counselling we offer.

Who gets Tinnitus?

The answer is nearly everyone! Believe it or not, it is common in all age groups, especially as a result of exposure to loud noise. Usually, it is transitory and not a long-term issue. Continual Tinnitus is actually quite common as about 10% of the population suffer from it. However, it is usually mild and a non-issue for the people who suffer with it. Unfortunately for up to one percent of adults, it is a serious issue that has wide-ranging effects on their ongoing quality of life.

What to do if you think you have Tinnitus?

First of all, let’s make it clear that it is only very rarely an indication of a serious problem, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be a serious problem by itself. It is a good idea to come and see us and have it checked out particularly if the onset was sudden or if it is only present in one ear. The key thing is that you shouldn’t worry about it as stress can actually make it much worse.

Getting an answer helps

Finding out what exactly is going on will help to settle your fears. The condition is very common and there are treatment options available.