Tinnitus / hearing therapy

Tinnitus

Torbay Audiology – Hearing Care has an Audiology Led Tinnitus Direct service which your GP can refer you to directly. Our waiting times are currently low and you will be seen by a Specialist Senior Audiologist who will take a comprehensive medical history. This may include questions about you mental health and they may then go onto perform Audiological testing. The audiologist will then discuss the mechanisms of tinnitus, and will help you decide on an individual management plan and help you set realistic goals in order to attempt to reduce awareness of you tinnitus. You will be seen by a specialist tinnitus audiologist who will take a comprehensive medical history and perform audiological testing. The audiologist will give you an explanation for your tinnitus, followed by help managing and reducing it. Your results will be overseen by an Ear, Nose and Throat consultant and if required any further testing will be arranged. You will be offered the option of seeing another Specialist Senior Audiologist for further tinnitus counselling.

Tinnitus counselling

If you need further help managing your tinnitus you can see a specialist tinnitus audiologist for tinnitus counselling. At this appointment the specialist can help you further to understand the possible cause and mechanisms of your tinnitus and the factors which control it, enabling you to make changes and learn management strategies in order to help reduce awareness of your tinnitus. This appointment may involve talking about other factors that influence tinnitus awareness such as mental health/mood. We may offer you the opportunity to see a psychologist who will talk to you about your tinnitus and help you to learn more psychological techniques to better understand and live with it.

Communication advice

Hearing aids are a great help with hearing loss and for many people provide enough additional help to enable them to manage their everyday activities, but hearing aids are not a cure for hearing impairment and improving your communication tactics can add the extra help to make everyday life easier. A specialist audiologist can help you learn ways to improve your communication tactics.

Hearing loss counselling

Some people find it hard to adjust to living with a hearing impairment and need a little help with this. You can see a specialist audiologist who can help you and your family through the process.

The audiologist will use their background in counselling to try and help you find ways of managing them. The audiologist may perform a comprehensive medical history which may involve questions about lifestyle and mental health. Audiological measurements maybe performed if felt necessary. The results will be discussed at your appointment followed by advice on further management and this may involve the discussion of assistive listening devices as hearing aids unfortunately are not able to solve 100% of hearing problems effectively.

Cochlear implant support

If you have a cochlear implant you can come and see a specialist audiologist who will help you maximise the use of your implant. We work closely with the West of England Cochlear Implant team.

  • CI South West – a social group for cochlear implant users and candidates in the South West of England.

FAQs

Is there a lip reading class that I can join?

There are lipreading classes held in Jasmyn House, 1 Midvale Road, Paignton, TQ4 5BD.

For further details contact Bevis Taylor:
Email: Bevis Taylor
Tel: 01803 219782

There are lipreading classes held in Exeter – Thursday mornings and afternoons. Classes are also available on Zoom.

For further details contact Ruth Bizley:
Email: ruthbizley@outlook.com
Tel / text: 07855 340517

Other events and sessions

Is there a charity / organisation to support me with tinnitus / hyperacusis?

The Tinnitus UK are an independent charity supporting thousands of people who experience tinnitus, and they advise medical professionals from across the world. They are the primary source of support and information for people with tinnitus in the UK, facilitating an improved quality of life. Their aim to encourage prevention through an educational programme and to seek effective treatment for tinnitus through a medical research programme.

For useful information leaflets, visit the British Tinnitus Association website.

Is there a tinnitus / hearing support group that I can join?

The Tinnitus Support Group is for people who suffer with tinnitus to share their experiences, discuss coping strategies and to support those who are struggling with the condition.

Tinnitus Support Group
Jasmyn House
1 Midvale Rd
Paignton TQ4 5BD

Email: Bevis Taylor
Tel: 01803 219782

There is a voluntary cost of £2 per sessions to cover refreshments. Family members are welcome.

Please contact Communication and Rehabilitation Support if you have any questions or to register to attend.

Tel: 01803 219782
Email: Communication and Rehabilitation Support

Please note: During COVID-19 the support groups available are online meeting and this can be accessed through the British Tinnitus Association directly.