Case Studies Introduction

To qualify what I mean more precisely by ‘non-complex tinnitus’, much of my day to day clinic work is spent working with people who have distressing but ‘non-complex’ tinnitus. Tinnitus is the sole significant presenting issue, with no “co-morbidities”. Most commonly, non-complex tinnitus is idiopathic in nature – in other words, the cause is unknown and complications in terms of pathology have been medically ruled out.

The process I use involves teaching the neurophysiology of tinnitus and methods of altering the neurobiology to begin impacting the physiological drives that perpetuate distress. In most cases, this simultaneously reduces tinnitus loudness perception.

The process continues by using specific aspects of the cognitive behavioural model to challenge the underlying meaning that the person’s experience of ‘tinnitus’ has to him/her, enabling his/her perceptions to change.

Even those whose tinnitus does not vary in loudness i.e. where loudness does not vary, for example when due to whiplash, the meaning that tinnitus used to have alters and they are able to ignore it. This process on average takes between 12-24 weeks.

I would point out that although the above is standard in my practice, access to clinicians with the skills to deliver this process is not widely available and is unlikely to be so without considerable investment in training for appropriately qualified and experienced health professionals.

NOTE: For a significant proportion of people who have distressing tinnitus, and certainly when a THI (Tinnitus Handicap Inventory) score indicates mild-moderate tinnitus distress (18-56%) I have made available the ‘core treatment’ in the form of online content plus 1-1 contact with me available online through the Tinnitus E-Programme.

Tinnitus E-Programme: www.tinnituseprogram.org

What Is Your THI Score? www.tinnituseprogram.org/what-is-your-thi-score-.html

Tinnitus E-Programme Mission Statement, Aims & Objectives are here: www.tinnituseprogram.org/mission-statement.html

For those wishing to work one to one with me either in my clinic in Clitheroe (Clitheroe Therapies Clinic) or online if you live too far away, you can use the booking form on this website: Tinnitus Assessment Booking Form

The complex tinnitus case studies in this section go beyond the ‘normal’ day to day practice described above. More details are in the website here: Non-complex and Complex Tinnitus