How do I access the Tinnitus service?

If you are concerned about tinnitus, we recommend speaking with your GP who, based upon your symptoms, may offer you a referral to Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) or to our dedicated Tinnitus service.

What to expect:

The initial Tinnitus assessment appointment takes approximately 1 hour.

As part of your tinnitus assessment, you will be sent a set of questionnaires to complete prior to your appointment. Please take the time to complete these questionnaires and bring them with you to your appointment. The answers you give will help the audiologist tailor the appointment to your requirements.  If you have been issued with hearing aids, please bring them to this appointment. 

During the appointment we will:

• Review this questionnaire with you, and expand on what you have written.
• Discuss your tinnitus and any hearing problems you are experiencing.
• Examine your ears internally and externally. 
• Assess the need to retest your hearing.
• Design a management plan together. 
• Arrange onward referral if required.

We often use something called the decision aid which allows both the clinician and the patient to decide on a management plan collaboratively.

Tinnitus Care Options - Decision Aid

Useful Websites

• Tinnitus UK
• RNID (Royal National Institute for the Deaf)
• Mental Health Support
• Samaritans | Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy
• Valleys Steps | Free Mindfulness and Stress Control Courses
• Leaflets and Publications - Tinnitus UK

Refs

• NICE Definition & Background Information
• NIDCD What Is Tinnitus? 
• Tinnitus UK