Suggestions for Good ENT Departments for Tinnitus in London?

[Nick47]

I had a sort of epiphany regarding the reasons for Michael Leigh's insufferably rude behavior after I read his post about how his lower back and sciatic nerve pain made it difficult for him to walk.

If you want to know how excruciating sciatic nerve pain is, please remember that the Spanish Inquisition applied it frequently by beating on the soles of the feet (which as a torture is still used in the Arab World, and called the Bastinado).

I used to be very irritated by him, but after considerating how he at times has sciatic nerve pain, lower back pain, and very severe tinnitus (perhaps all at once) I only now feel tremendously sorry for him.

I defy anyone to have the granitic fortitude to remain emotionally unaffected by the overwhelming invasiveness of any combination of these three terrible conditions.

The writer Graham Greene once said that hatred is really due to a failure of the imagination (which simply means that once you understand why a person is behaving this way, your end reaction is one of real compassion).

His reaction is entirely about him and not at all about you.

@DaveFromChicago, thank you. Yes, I was taken a back a little, as I felt it was disrespectful to address me in that manner, however I brushed it off as essentially we all want the best for each other.

 

[Michael Leigh]

Yes, I was taken a back a little, as I felt it was disrespectful to address me in that manner, however I brushed it off as essentially we all want the best for each other.

This one time I will go back on my word and explain my reasons for asking you not to contact me and vice versa. Since you are not aware of the reasons for my request, I will explain, because it's not in my nature to disrespect anyone. Unlike the person you have replied to in your post, that I have placed on ignore for many months because of his constant berating towards me without any provocation on my part.

I visit this forum to try and help people that are having difficulty coping with tinnitus and hyperacusis, not to engage in flame wars with members.

Scroll back through this thread and read the post from the member Diego LR. This person quoted my post to you, and had the effrontery to say, that I should refrain from telling you to see your GP for help, and if needed get something to help manage stress and enquire if it's possible to get a referral to a hospital further afield for treatment. Everyone knows tinnitus and hyperacusis can put an enormous amount of strain on a person's mental health.

I saw that you agreed or at least favoured his comments which you are entitled to. Therefore, I gather my advice isn't wanted. I am not upset nor perturbed by your actions.

I hope you get the help you need.

Michael

 

[Nick47]

I saw that you agreed or at least favoured his comments which you are entitled to. Therefore, I gather my advice isn't wanted. I am not upset nor perturbed by your actions.

@Michael Leigh, I agreed with part of what he said. Your advice is wanted, certainly by me. I may be sceptical and not agree on everything, however that does not mean I want to end all dialogue. I have been in a lot of stress, anxiety and pain. Feeling hopeless. I feel it's important to put across the difficulty accessing the type of treatment you had. This is not a unique position and many are in my shoes. In short - I get frustrated when I read your experience, because I would like that level of care.

I have reluctantly started to peruse around looking for private treatment as a back up. It will leave me pretty much penniless, but if it helps it will be worth it.

I have found a highly rated audiologist called Debbie Featherstone. Do you know what really upsets me? Well it's not the price. These sessions are 'Zoom' and you also get online access to a course.

My tinnitus reacts and ramps up to external sound and artificial sounds from phones and laptops are uncomfortable. Then there is the lack of in-person contact + how can they administer and set up hearing aids, white noise generators etc. This move towards online and apps scares the shit out of me.

 

[Michael Leigh]

I have found a highly rated audiologist called Debbie Featherstone. Do you know what really upsets me? Well it's not the price. These sessions are 'Zoom' and you also get online access to a course.

Thank you for your comments @Nick47. I say again that I visit this forum to try and help people and therefore, will put asside the impudence from the member that quoted my post to you, for it clear this person knows nothing about the way tinnitus and hyperacusis can affect a person's mental health, otherwise he would not have interfered.

It is your choice whatever you decide to do regarding private treatment. However, I don't think consultations with a therapist via Zoom is right for you. Face-to-face is better and preferably with someone that lives with tinnitus.

If I were in your situation, I would talk again with my GP, to see if it's possible to access treatment at a hospital further afield. I know you mentioned this is frowned upon but my understanding is, someone in the UK can get treatment at any NHS hospital that is willing to treat them, as mentioned on the NHS website. If my GP said this isn't possible, then I would politely say, that I intend to write to my MP for help.

I am not the type of person that gives up easily and therefore, will push and push until someone listens. Some years ago when I was living in London, I wrote to my MP about something not concerning tinnitus. To my surprise he raised my concerns to the Prime Minister, in the House of Commons, at Prime Minister's Questions.

Michael

 

[Nick47]

@Michael Leigh, thank you.

However, I don't think consultations with a therapist via Zoom is right for you. Face-to-face is better and preferably with someone that lives with tinnitus.

I agree. This move towards apps, online courses and Zoom REALLY worries me. It does not take into account difficulties with hyperacusis or even hearing loss, let alone in-person assistance like setting up devices or administering tests.

 

[DaveFromChicago]

This is from today's New York Times:

"LONDON — Britain is languishing, and the signs are everywhere.

Inflation is in double digits, and the recession — the worst of all Group of 7 countries — is expected to last deep into 2024. The National Health Service is on life support, public transport is sputtering, and post-Brexit worker shortages are widespread. Homeowners face soaring mortgage rates, renters are subject to no-fault evictions, and millions can't afford to heat their homes. Food banks, which barely existed a decade ago, are at breaking point, and 14.5 million people are in poverty. Winter is here, and it's bleak."​

In particular, I noted the comment about their National Health Service. I know that @Michael Leigh has placed me on ignore, but one of you should show him this with the inevitable question about how long TRT will even be available anywhere in London, and if so, whether it will take longer to get seen than it took for the Glaciers to have formed the Great Lakes.

 

[DeanD]

Thank you for your comments @Nick47. I say again that I visit this forum to try and help people and therefore, will put asside the impudence from the member that quoted my post to you, for it clear this person knows nothing about the way tinnitus and hyperacusis can affect a person's mental health, otherwise he would not have interfered.

It is your choice whatever you decide to do regarding private treatment. However, I don't think consultations with a therapist via Zoom is right for you. Face-to-face is better and preferably with someone that lives with tinnitus.

If I were in your situation, I would talk again with my GP, to see if it's possible to access treatment at a hospital further afield. I know you mentioned this is frowned upon but my understanding is, someone in the UK can get treatment at any NHS hospital that is willing to treat them, as mentioned on the NHS website. If my GP said this isn't possible, then I would politely say, that I intend to write to my MP for help.

I am not the type of person that gives up easily and therefore, will push and push until someone listens. Some years ago when I was living in London, I wrote to my MP about something not concerning tinnitus. To my surprise he raised my concerns to the Prime Minister, in the House of Commons, at Prime Minister's Questions.

Michael

Hi @Michael Leigh - I did want to ask about your NHS experiences. It does seem as if you have managed to find good consultants and a good level of care within the arms of the NHS.

My GP has been very good, she will admit to knowing very little about tinnitus but has been so good about wanting to try to refer me to anyone I can think of.

My challenge has been 'who'. I found an audiologist and tinnitus expert who works at the NHS in Brighton, and saw her as a private patient in Hove.

To be honest I found the whole experiencing so underwhelming. For someone who apparently has 20+ experience in Audiology and tinnitus, it felt as if I was the first patient with tinnitus and hyperacusis she'd seen!

I was referred to her by my ENT consultant.

So much so that my girlfriend - who has come with me on almost every GP, audiologist and ENT appointment I have had, and has been trying to encourage me to try and persist with everything - for the first time actually said to me 'I wouldn't go back and see her!'

My GP was ready to refer me to NHS Brighton with a 10-week waiting list but this is who I would have seen.

You have mentioned on many posts about getting seen by the NHS, as the follow on care will be better (and I agree) but my GP has asked who I want to go and see, wherever they are in the country... and rarely can I find the names of the consultants at the NHS hospitals to make a decision, let alone find one who specialises in tinnitus and hyperacusis and preferably has tinnitus (as you advise).

I was wondering if you have any tips or suggestions on how you can find this level of information from within the NHS system (if possible)?

I have spoken to Debbie Featherstone and will soon be speaking with Jacqui Sheldrake - but I know getting my name in to the NHS system will help with follow on treatment if needed.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Michael Leigh]

My GP has been very good, she will admit to knowing very little about tinnitus but has been so good about wanting to try to refer me to anyone I can think of.

Hi @DeanD, thank you for your enquiry.

I will try to help you in the best way that I can. I understand your reasons for seeking private treatment for your tinnitus but please don't go to anymore private audiologists or ENT doctors. You will get the best help and long term aftercare for tinnitus and hyperacusis under the NHS that no private treatment can match in the UK.

It appears that you have a good and understanding GP that wants to help you. I moved to Brighton in 2014 but I was born and bred in London. I chose to remain as an out-patient at my London based hospital instead of relocating to the Royal Sussex in Brighton. Since your GP is willing to refer you to a hospital of your choice, this is splendid news, perhaps you might consider going to a London hospital. I am unable to mention my hospital here but I advise you to look in the areas of Streatham, Mitcham and Tooting. There are other hospitals in London that treat tinnitus patients.

You are in the very early stages of tinnitus, having acquired it in October. Providing a person isn't experiencing deafness, balance problems, acute pain in the ears or dizziness, a period of at least 4 months, preferably 6 months, should elapse before being seen at ENT. I believe it's too soon for you to seek any treatment at this stage but you can go ahead with making a request for a referral. Please click on the links below and read my posts: New to Tinnitus, What to Do?, Tinnitus, A Personal View. Go to my started threads and read my posts: TRT and When Should It Be Started?, The Habituation Process, How to Habituate to Tinnitus.

Try to avoid quiet rooms and surroundings particularly at night by using low-level sound enrichment. More about this is explained in the links below.

All the best,
Michael

New to Tinnitus, What to Do? | Tinnitus Talk Support Forum
Tinnitus, A Personal View | Tinnitus Talk Support Forum