The whole diagnostic process for hearing disorders seems to be one big hit-or-miss wherever in the world we are.
@Michael Leigh aced a good quality holistic service on the Public Health in the UK, but his story seems to be more the exception, which is a shame given that it appears to be a very good model of care for tinnitus of the (presumably) more common non-surgical kind. Do you think they'd offer the same level of care these days Micheal?
Hi
@PaulBe
The care for tinnitus patients in some parts of the world after seeing an ENT doctor for the initial consultation and tests, doesn't seem to be very good for people. From what I've read, in many cases the only way they can get treatment with a Hearing therapist or Audiologist for example, they have to pay privately as it doesn't appear to be covered under medical insurance. The type of treatment I'm referring to that has to be paid for is: TRT, CBT, counselling, mindfulness, white noise generators and hearing aids. Although in some parts of Europe this doesn't always seems to be the case. When hearing tests, MRI scans and blood tests show there is no underlying medical condition causing the tinnitus, which is typical for a lot of people and they are unable to habituate naturally without treatment. A referral to a Hearing Therapist or Audiologist trained in tinnitus management is usually recommended. As mentioned above in many cases (but not all) a patient has to pay for treatment privately.
In the UK this is not the case. Once a person is seen at an NHS hospital ENT department all treatment is free. From initial consultation with an ENT doctor, tests and referral to a Hearing Therapist or Audiologist for tinnitus management. Depending on what treatment is available as mentioned above, none of this has to be paid for. The NHS isn't without its problems the same as any large organisation. When a person is referred to an Audiology department and sees a Hearing Therapist or Audiologist for tinnitus management. The treatment and what is available for tinnitus can differ considerably across the country. Some hospitals offer no CBT or TRT. However, when tinnitus is caused by hearing loss for example, hearing aids are usually provided. Counselling is given if available at that particular hospital. The way I understand it, any hearing disorder that a person has, if it can be treated medically or surgically this carried out by ENT.
In most cases some sort of aftercare for tinnitus is given when a patient is referred to Audiology. A person can be referred to any hospital of their choice providing they have the means to get there. I now live in Brighton and will be travelling to London next week to my hospital ENT department that has been looking after me for 21 years. The distance is approximately 50 miles.
I have said in many of my posts that in my opinion, ENT doctors are not tinnitus experts, they are physicians. They know about the anatomy of the Ear and are able to treat it medically or surgically. It is for this reason, the majority of people people say their ENT doctor doesn't understand their tinnitus or has any idea of what they are going through. Sometimes it can leave a person feeling desperate and at a loss, not knowing what to do or where to go for help. This realisation comes after various tests have been done on their auditory system only to be told by the doctor, that no abnormalities where found. The advice given is to leave things as they are for now and see what happens.
ENT doctors are important healthcare professionals and I have a lot of respect for their skill and expertise. They do not help with tinnitus management nor are they tinnitus counsellors. This is the role of the Hearing Therapist or Audiologist that is trained in this field of expertise. They are able to understand and empathize with what someone with tinnitus is going through. Not surprisingly, many of these healthcare professionals were either born with tinnitus or acquired it at some time in their life. It is my opinion, if a person is referred to a Hearing Therapist or Audiologist for tinnitus counselling, TRT, CBT. Unless the therapist has experienced tinnitus they can never fully understand or empathize with their patient and know what they are going through or give good counselling. They may have some knowledge of the condition through training but this is far as it will go. Furthermore, a patient will soon pick this up during a counselling sessions that the person they are seeing has little knowledge of tinnitus.
Many people that I have spoken to that have been referred to Hearing Therapist or Audiologist for tinnitus counselling have told me the specialist they are seeing also has tinnitus, as my Hearing Therapist who was born with it. People have contacted me who have been referred to a psychotherapist or some other health professional for counselling because they are stressed or depressed. They often tell me the first thing they are told by the healthcare professional is:
" I know nothing about tinnitus".
Michael
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