What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the term for sounds heard in one or both ears (sometimes in the head) that are not heard by other people. We can also provide help for people with hyperacusis (sensitivity to sounds).
How do I access the service?
Access is via referral from your GP, a hospital consultant or from within the audiology service. Please contact your GP initially, so that they can ask about your problem, check your ears, and give you initial advice. If appropriate they will refer you either directly to the Audiology department or to see an Ear, Nose and Throat consultant (ENT).
What happens when my referral is made?
All referrals are received by our clerical officer. If you haven’t already had a hearing assessment in our department we may need to complete this first, as it is important and relevant that we know the status of your hearing. If this is the case, you will be booked for a hearing assessment first.
Otherwise, you will be added to our waiting list and sent a letter with questionnaires to complete. This will be by email if we have your email address, or otherwise by post. There will also be a booking form included, where you can tell us whether you want to attend in person (which is usually at Royal Hampshire County Hospital) or whether you would prefer a phone or video call appointment.
Please note that the service is an “opt-in service”, which means that you will be sent an appointment when you have returned the questionnaires and form that we send out. The appointment letter is then sent to you by post, to the address given in the referral. Sometimes appointments are available at short notice, and we may telephone you to see if you can come to one.
What will happen at my first appointment?
Your appointment will take up to an hour and will be carried out by a qualified Audiologist. We will ask you questions about how your tinnitus or hyperacusis started, the impact that it is having on your life, and about your thoughts or worries around it. This helps us to identify what factors may be affecting your experience of tinnitus or hyperacusis.
We will then discuss the best ways to manage either tinnitus or sound sensitivity with you. We will provide you with information about the hearing system that can be helpful in understanding the best approach to take and will give you information about the currently recommended management strategies.
What happens next?
You will be sent a report after your appointment, which you will receive via the NHS app. If you don’t open your letter on the NHS app, then you will be sent a paper copy in the post. You may also be provided with some information to read at home.
Often only one appointment is needed; however, depending on the management plan and the nature of your tinnitus or hyperacusis, one or more follow up appointments may be planned to provide further assistance and check on your progress.
