Tinnitus Retraining Therapy London
Tinnitus retraining therapy is the approach we use to help people with problematic tinnitus. Tinnitus is any noise heard in the ear(s) which is not caused by an external sound source. It can be caused by an underlying health condition, hearing loss or acute periods of stress or trauma. This means that approaches to help resolve it often include consultations with medical practitioners as well as psychological approaches.
There are lots of ways to help people suffering from problematic tinnitus. These include sound therapy, somatic work, mindfulness stress reduction, cbt, emdr, tinnitus counselling and psychotherapy. Unfortunately many people do not explore options beyond a medical approach because they are not made aware of them. Many people of course get on fine with tinnitus and consider it a minor annoyance. For 5% of tinnitus sufferers it is unfortunately life changing and becomes very problematic. Hence the phrase 'problematic tinnitus'.
We use a number of different approaches to help people with tinnitus. These include:
- mindfulness based stress reduction
- body psychotherapy
- behavioural therapies
- counselling and psychotherapy
- tinnitus sound therapy
- eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy
What Is Problematic Tinnitus?
We might have had the experience of having ringing in our ears coming away from a concert or nightclub. This usually passes a few hours or days later. Tinnitus which sticks around is called chronic or prolonged tinnitus. Problematic tinnitus is tinnitus which is chronic and causes a negative somatic and psychological reaction to a tinnitus stimulus. Around 5% of people who have tinnitus, experience problematic tinnitus. This means 95% are not overly bothered by it. Risk of developing problematic tinnitus is linked to personality typology, the cause of tinnitus, historical experience of trauma, perceived tinnitus level and what level of support and advice you have been given in relation to tinnitus. Getting the right help and support as soon as possible makes a difference to whether tinnitus becomes problematic.
What Is Problematic Tinnitus?
We might have had the experience of having ringing in our ears coming away from a concert or nightclub. This usually passes a few hours or days later. Tinnitus which sticks around is called chronic tinnitus. Problematic tinnitus is tinnitus which is chronic and causes a negative somatic and psychological reaction to a tinnitus stimulus. 5% of people who have tinnitus, experience problematic tinnitus. This means 95% are not overly bothered by it. Risk of developing problematic tinnitus is linked to personality typology, the cause of tinnitus, historical experience of trauma, perceived tinnitus level and what level of support and advice you have been given in relation to tinnitus. Getting the right help and support as soon as possible makes a difference to whether tinnitus becomes problematic.
What Is Tinnitus Habituation?
Tinnitus habituation means you have tinnitus but have got used to it. This means that when your attention is drawn to it you hear it but do not have a stress reaction to it. It might also mean that you are not aware of having tinnitus most of the time. We can still have a bad day even after we have habituated to tinnitus as circumstances change and the perceived level of tinnitus can fluctuate. If you are experiencing problematic tinnitus you can habituate to it and still have tinnitus but your experience of tinnitus is completely different following tinnitus retraining therapy.
What Is Tinnitus Habituation?
Tinnitus habituation means you have tinnitus but have got used to it. This means that when your attention is drawn to it you hear it but do not have a stress reaction to it. It might also mean that you are not aware of having tinnitus most of the time. We can still have a bad day even after we have habituated to tinnitus as circumstances change and the perceived level of tinnitus can fluctuate. If you are experiencing problematic tinnitus you can habituate to it and still have tinnitus but your experience of tinnitus is completely different following tinnitus retraining therapy.
What Is Tinnitus Retraining Therapy?
Our tinnitus retraining therapy uses a number of different approaches to help change the relationship you have with tinnitus. Effectively changing a negative relationship with tinnitus to a neutral one.
A tinnitus retraining therapy session might involve working on negative thoughts related to problematic tinnitus, changing behaviour or working on a negative somatic reaction to tinnitus, befriending tinnitus, managing sleep difficulties or how to relax with tinnitus. We also work on tinnitus associated difficulties which include trauma, stress and anxiety. The methods as listed above might include: body psychotherapy, emdr therapy, behavioural therapy, counselling and psychotherapy, mindfulness based stress reduction, tinnitus sound therapy and practical help.
What Is Tinnitus Retraining Therapy?
Our tinnitus retraining therapy uses a number of different approaches to help change the relationship you have with tinnitus. Effectively changing a negative relationship with tinnitus to a neutral one.
A tinnitus retraining therapy session might involve working on negative thoughts related to problematic tinnitus, changing behaviour or working on a negative somatic reaction to tinnitus, befriending tinnitus, managing sleep difficulties or how to relax with tinnitus. We also work on tinnitus associated difficulties which include trauma, stress and anxiety. The methods as listed above might include: body psychotherapy, emdr therapy, behavioural therapy, counselling and psychotherapy, mindfulness based stress reduction, tinnitus sound therapy and practical help.
Tinnitus In The UK %
Professional help for tinnitus
Matthew Alderton - Psychotherapist
MA, BSc, PG Dip, PG Dip Psych
I am a trauma informed psychotherapist and emdr practitioner. Causes of tinnitus and the experience of tinnitus are sometimes closely related to trauma. Experiencing PTSD and tinnitus at the same time amplify each other. I have personal experience of managing tinnitus as well as the training and therapeutic tools to help people with tinnitus. Examples of therapies and interventions I use include: body psychotherapy, tinnitus counselling, psychotherapy, mindfulness stress reduction, emotional freedom techniques and emdr therapy. EMDR is helpful for ptsd as well as tinnitus. All of these make up our tinnitus retraining therapy.
I work in a holistic integrative way, taking into account the ecology of a person's life as well as their mind, body and soul. I am personable, friendly and down to earth. I provide a safe, confidential, collaborative environment for you to work through your difficulty. I look forward to hearing from you.
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy Approaches
Study Showing the Efficacy of EMDR for Tinnitus
A study was carried out in 2019 which treated patients at Norfolk University Hospital NHS foundation Trust. This is a summary of its conclusions.
Tinnitus Symptoms Reduction
Study Conclusions: This study has demonstrated that the provision of tEMDR has resulted in a clinically and statistically significant improvement in tinnitus symptoms in the majority of those participants who took part. Furthermore, the treatment effect was maintained at 6 months after treatment ceased. This study is of particular interest, as the study protocol was designed to be purposefully inclusive of a diverse range of tinnitus patients. However, as a small uncontrolled study, these results do not consider the significant effects of placebo and therapist interaction. Larger high-quality studies are essential for the verification of these preliminary results.
PDF showing the full study details. 2019 UK Tinnitus Research © 2019 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy Benefits
Tinnitus habituation
Neutralise the experience of tinnitus so that it is no longer triggering and you are no longer aware of it.
Control
Take back control from tinnitus so that it no longer dominates your experience of life.
Related difficulties
TRT can help you to work through problematic tinnitus related difficulties. This can make it easier to habituate to tinnitus.
Happiness
Feel happier in yourself. When we stop allowing tinnitus to control our lives we feel happier and restore balance.
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy Benefits
Tinnitus habituation
Neutralise the experience of tinnitus so that it is no longer triggering and you are no longer aware of it.
Happiness
Feel happier in yourself. When we stop allowing tinnitus to control our lives we feel happier and restore balance.
Control
Take back control from tinnitus so that it no longer dominates your experience of life.
Related difficulties
TRT can help you to work through problematic tinnitus related difficulties. This can make it easier to habituate to tinnitus.
Client's Experience Of Tinnitus Retraining Therapy
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy London
We are located at Beachamp lodge in Little Venice Paddington. We are a two minute walk from Warwick avenue and a five minute walk from Paddington station.
Centre For Counselling & Psychotherapy Education
Beauchamp Lodge
Little Venice
Paddington
London
W2 6NE
Therapy Enquiry
If you would like to book therapy with us or have a therapy enquiry please fill in our contact form.