Tinnitus & Hearing Therapy

Who are we?

• Alex Hatcher – Senior Audiologist/Hearing Therapy Service Lead (currently on maternity leave)
• Ella Woodward – Senior Audiologist/Interim Hearing Therapy Service Lead
• Beth-Anne Mancktelow – Audiologist & Hearing Therapist/Head of Audiology Service
• Sophie Butler – Hearing Therapist
• Kim Fredericks – Senior Audiologist
• Diane Sostman – Secretary to Hearing Therapy

How can you be referred?

New patients are either referred by their GP to ENT who can then refer onto Hearing Therapy or there is a direct referral route from GP to Hearing Therapy if you have tinnitus without other ENT symptoms. If you have already been seen in the Hearing Therapy department in the past you can re-refer yourself at any time. An Audiologist can also refer onto Hearing Therapy if required.

Who do we see?

We see people to help with the following problems: tinnitus, problems with sensitivity to sound (hyperacusis), stress related to dizziness or balance problems and people needing support around the emotional impact of hearing loss.

What services are offered?

We offer a range of appointment types: group, one-to-one, in person and telephone or video. Depending on the nature of the appointment, some are limited to a particular type but we will be flexible to a persons needs where possible.

Tinnitus Management / Counselling

We can explain what tinnitus is and the current evidence-based methods of managing the tinnitus. We use counselling skills to support people in building long-term strategies to reduce impact that tinnitus is having on the person’s quality of life.

Help with Sensitive Hearing (Hyperacusis)

We can explain what hyperacusis is, identify triggers and agree upon a desensitisation programme to help with over sensitivity to sounds.

Relaxation Therapy

We can teach a range of relaxation exercises to help reduce stress/tension, which may result from living with hearing loss, tinnitus, or balance problems. We can help people navigate online resources for stress management and signpost to other services where required.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Course for Tinnitus

This course is only accessed by referral following a one-to-one hearing therapy appointment. This is an 8 week course for a small group of patients with tinnitus where mindfulness is taught according to the MBCT for tinnitus curriculum.

Hearing Tactics

We can give you advice on various hearing strategies, which can help to minimize the communication difficulties a person may have as a result of the hearing loss. We can provide information on lipreading group classes run by Adult Education.

Balance Related Stress

We support our Balance team, who provide individually tailored exercise programs, by giving relaxation advice for dealing with stress-related issues that may be contributing to the balance problem.

Further Information

For further information on Hearing Therapy Services please contact Diane Sostman on:  01603 287284

Tinnitus UK is a charity that provides information about tinnitus, online support groups, tinnitus-related research and more.