Audiology Experience

Just coughed up £125 upfront for a tinnitus assessment today. Private assessment in a swanky down town office block with glossy magazines and well hoovered carpets. (My t is severe)

Wasn't sure as 1 of the patient stories on their website suggested they'd been cured. Was told I'd be there for 2.5 hours. I was there for about 3 hrs.

Filled out tinnitus paper assessments on effect on daily functioning (I'm a clinical psychologist so it made me feel sad to be on the other side). Then he did the audiometry, the results were depressing.

I steadfastly refused the decibels test after listening to bill 112's story. He really wanted me to do it and at on every point said 'it might make the tinnitus spike', and when I drilled him down on what he said he said 'oh not the actual tinnitus just in the limbic system' (translation-patient is more fearful?).

I also refused the tympanic test. He saw wax in my ear and when I said no to microsuction after again hearing the horror stories on here, he took out a cotton bud and fluffed it up with his fingers (hmm not very sanitary, he did not put on gloves first) then he stuck it in my ear to get the wax out. Little wax came out and he admitted the wax had just gone further into my ear.

He also said that there was likely to be cure at some point for tinnitus via neurotransmitters. Huh? I don't believe that.

He then stuck on the hearing aids/white noise generators and tried his best to sell me a trt package. Said he been trained by Jastreboff himself. Cost was £2,500. I'm still thinking about it.

When leaving he said he thinks I really should do the decibel test. I really don't want to. He also insisted my Husband join me at the trt sessions. Sounded like it was mindfulness and relaxation therapy, in part. It is not always helpful approach to involve carers I believe and it would not be what I want.

I was told I'd only pay £300 if not happy with the product. Anyone recommend TRT? It's a lotta cash.

What do NHS hearing aids look like? Are they clunky? The ones he showed me were small. I'm thinking of holding out to see what the NHS will offer me when my name gets to the top of the waiting list.

My audio test is below this message.

 

@Parfait NHS hearing aids aren't bad, mine only have the masker function activated as I have no hearing loss. They're made by Siemens.

Trt through nhs is hit and miss, depending on where you live. Insist your GP gets you an appointment with the Audiologist at the hospital, bypass the hospital ENT, the audiologist should then make a routine appointment with the ENT at a later date. In the meantime you'll get your aids...for me it was on the day but have no hearing loss so they only needed to adjust the masking noise. It didn't take long as I was in desperate need.

CBT plus maskers are what my hospital recommended. Had CBT years ago and worked hard at it, been doing more as this is a different problem, however think working with a CBT tinnitus specialist may be better.

Take care

 

I'm sorry if this sounds disrespectful, but I laughed pretty hard reading that. That's like a Dr. Nick on the Simpsons scene

But, I think if you can afford it, you should give TRT a chance. It's helped a lot of people, so it could also help you. Stay strong.

 

@Parfait
I have had TRT twice in 20 years via the NHS with good results. @Candy is right, it is only available at some hospitals but I personally feel you shouldn't be starting it so soon. If you have hearing loss in my opinion, you will get the best help and long term aftercare with the NHS as private care cannot match it. I am an advocate of TRT but reading your post I have some doubts about the Hearing Therapist/Audiologist that you saw for the consultation.

The TRT counselling sessions are One to One. I have never heard and don't think it's right to bring along a partner. Most Hearing Therapists/Audiologists that practice TRT also have tinnitus. It is for this reason I feel they are able to do the tinnitus counselling better because they will understand how a patient is affected by tinnitus.

I have had microsuction three times and it's the best method of removing earwax safely. It is important to use olive oil eardrops, 2 to 3 times a day, in each ear for 10 days before the procedure and then you'll be fine. I have also had ear irrigation at my GP surgery, which was done by a nurse. Again, use the olive oil 10 days before and you'll be fine.

Please click in the link below and read my article: Tinnitus, A Personal View. It is long but I believe you'll find it helpful.
I would leave the TRT for at least 6 months before trying and find another practice or have a word with your GP and see if you can get referred to a hospital for it.
Best of luck
Michael

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/

 

Good move, refusing the loud tests. Already you're smarter than the audiologist.

 

Thank so everyone for those really kind replies. Candy, that's a good idea to be referred to audiology rather than ent. I think that's what I need. Michael, good to hear you benefited from trt but you are right to say it has to be with the right therapist and thanks for sharing your story. Jacob, fine to laugh- the truth is the truth!

Candy- please can you feed back here what your experiences of using the masking noises are? I would be most grateful. E.g., when it is helpful to use them and how much they help the tinnitus?