NHS (UK) Audiology Appointment Experiences from Tinnitus Patients?

Hi - I had a private ENT consultant appointment 2 months ago (4 months after my tinnitus started) and he said he would be referring me to audiology on the NHS.

I have now had a letter confirming my audiology appointment and have been asked to fill in a 2 page 'tinnitus impact assessment' questionnaire, but I'm not sure what happens at this type of appointment.

I'm hoping they will not do any unpleasant tests involving loud noises or the test that measures pressure in the middle ear.

The ENT consultant did a standard hearing test where I listen to bleeps and press a button and he said my hearing was OK, but I have heard horror stories about some tests that people have had - anyone here been to audiology in the UK (NHS)?

 

I'm in Ireland and had audiologists tests done nothing changed my tinnitus it never got worse or changed in high pitch hissing.

 

I would be vary wary! I'm having an audiogram soon and that is all. I seem to be a glutton for side effects and things going wrong. But of course many people never have problems. The way of the world.

Don't expect an audiologist to tell you that any of these tests can make your tinnitus worse though even if you ask them directly and tell them of other people's experiences.

Do you really need the full set of tests? Won't just an audiogram do? Why take the risk if you don't need to?

 

HI @boliston

I have had tinnitus for 23 years and been an out-patient at a NHS hospital Audiology department for the same period of time. You will get the best help and long term aftercare for your tinnitus under the NHS. No private practice in the UK can match this level of care and treatment. That is the reason your private ENT consultant referred you to NHS. Please do not go to anymore private clinics for tinnitus help because you are wasting your money.

When you are seen at Audiology your ENT consultant will probably recommend a series of tests to be carried out by an Audiologist. My advice is not to be alarmed, try to relax and agree to any tests that are recommend. Your doctor is a professional and this is their area of expertise in order to determine the cause and treatment for your tinnitus. I have read some of the horror stories that you refer to in this forum. My advice is to ignore them and proceed in the manner I have suggested when you are seen at Audiology.

I have had many hearing tests including "tympanometry" which so many people in this forum are afraid of and never had a problem. Twenty three years ago when I had very severe hyperacusis I had tympanometry and other tests and it caused no problems. I have had Microsuction 3 times and Ear irrigation the same and had no difficulties. If you ever have to have earwax removed, apply eardrops 3x a day to each ear for 10 days to thoroughly loosen the wax before having microsuction or irrigation.

I have read posts where some people advise others to tell their doctor, they are not having this or that procedure done and have a demanding arrogant attitude. If you want to follow this advice, it is the quickest way to rub people up the wrong way. Therefore, don't be surprised if the health professionals you encounter are not willing to be of much help. They may not show their disquiet openly but no-one likes to be told their job. I am not saying one shouldn't express concerns on how they feel, but there is a right and wrong to talk to people.

I wish you well.
Michael

 

There is a treatment for tinnitus?

 

Mine told me to buy a fucking dog.

 

Indeed there is.

 

Really because last time I checked the treatments were all for the psychological affects of having tinnitus, not tinnitus itself.

 

On the occasion I will give you the benefit of the doubt and hope you are being serious as I prefer not to waste my time playing one-upmanship.

Tinnitus is 90% mental. By this I mean it is intrinsically linked to a person's mental and emotional wellbeing. Therefore, you are correct a lot of treatments for this condition are psychological and this is where treatment needs to be addressed, the mind. A lot of negativity surrounds tinnitus and some people think, once they have it their life is compelled to doom and gloom. This is certainly not the case. With good tinnitus counselling a person can start to feel better about themselves and this can be improved with the help of some medications. With time positivity replaces negativity and the brain learns not to focus on the tinnitus as much and the noise is pushed further into the background. In doing so the tinnitus is suppressed and therefore reduced or becomes less noticeable. All this takes time and a lot depends on the person.

I will not be commenting further on this because I have written many posts on the way I believe a person can help themselves to overcome tinnitus and work towards a better quality of life, which you will find in the links below. Some people may require specialist treatment with a Hearing Therapist or Audiologist that specialises in tinnitus and hyperacusis management and treatment.

Michael

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/acquiring-a-positive-mindset.23969/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-and-the-negative-mindset.23705/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/the-habituation-process.20767/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/is-positivity-important.23150/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/standing-tall.12070/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/positivity-and-tinnitus.12060/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/the-art-of-tinnitus.12066/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/changes-in-tinnitus-and-how-to-cope.12067/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/staying-positive-with-tinnitus.12069/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/i-would-rather-be-happy-than-right.12084/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/life-is-problematic.12317/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/can-tinnitus-counselling-help.22366/

 

What? Why? For companionship?

I have no time for these people anymore. It's like my GP telling me I might have had tinnitus since I was young and that I had just noticed it. Err, no. I think I would have noticed this LOUD HORRIBLE noise a long time ago if that had been the case.

 

Thank you for your positive and optimistic views /messages .

Having 10 years experience and having had various degrees of tinnitus I would nevertheless add a slight caveat to your analysis. Intrusive tinnitus is a very different animal to Mild or Bothersome tinnitus. Therefore the approach and habituation process is altogether different...

 

Thank you for your kind words.

Please read my post: The Habituation Process, again and you will see where I address the issue of severe intrusive tinnitus. I know what severe tinnitus is and how debilitating it can be. Please click on the link below and read my post: My Experience with tinnitus, then you will see what I mean.

All the best
Michael


https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/my-experience-with-tinnitus.12076/

 

Thank you for your response.

I have to say that I seriously doubt the veracity of your profile and information provided in general.

You seem to have had all varieties of tinnitus... from mild to very bothersome... from continuous to alternating... you seem to have covered the full spectrum... you also seem to have multiple threads lined up and ready for replies... very unlikely in real life but very convenient if you wanted to market a product...

Furthermore your email thread dates to over three years ago... had this or any other product shown any real form of success it would be out in the public domain and recommended by the most prominent people specialised in this field...

If my analysis is incorrect and if you truly want to help tinnitus sufferers worldwide please contact the BTA and/or the ATA and organise a meeting/conference call with them to discuss your case and experience.

Thanking you in advance.

 

You you are entitled to your opinion. The information given in my posts and articles are based on 23 years experience living with tinnitus. I believe I have experienced tinnitus in almost all of its variants. According to my ENT consultant and Hearing Therapist, they rarely see patients with my type of tinnitus. It is for this reason I believe I'm able to understand this condition so well and empathise with people affected with it.

I correspond with people at tinnitus forums that ask for my help and occasionally counsel people that choose to contact me. I have never dealt with the ATA and have no wish to. When I first got tinnitus 23 years I found the BTA very helpful. Sadly, I don't think it is the same as it once was based on information some people have relayed to me during correspondence, that's all I'm prepared to say.

Regarding your analysis, again I say you are entitled to your opinion as I am to mine and will say, you are one hundred percent wrong.

Good day and I wish you well.

Michael

 

Had my audiology appointment today and luckily no tests! I thought it would be a short appointment but it actually lasted 90 minutes - she seemed pretty knowledgeable and had tinnitus herself for the last 20 years. I think a lot of what she talked about I sort of knew through having read so much on this forum and other sites but it was reassuring to be able to discuss it with an actual practitioner.

 

Glad it went well. Out of interest do you know what kind of therapies will be on offer to you?

For example, will they be offering you some form of TRT (i.e. counselling plus wearing white noise generators) or CBT or some other sort of therapy?

 

I have to say I am one of those who suffered ear fullness after the pressure test whereby a tube is inserted in the ear and air passed through to check for fluid behind the eardrum. In my case I think this was an unnecessary test as my tinnitus was clearly noise-induced in both ears. My ear fullness settled down again after a couple of days but for that period I was worried that I should have prevented that procedure. Having said that, if your tinnitus is just in one side and has no obvious cause then it probably is a test you should submit to having done, to rule out something that could and should be treated.

 

She did talk about types of therapy but I said I'd wait for the time being to see if it got better on its own - she was very helpful and said don't hesitate to book up another appointment if I need more help.