Intro

Everyone including you coming to the Tinnitus E-Programme comes with their own story and background, and as we all know, we are all different! We have different strengths, different abilities, different characteristics and different expectations!

CBT is acknowledged to be the only clinical intervention with a strong evidence-base for reducing tinnitus distress. Before embarking on the process, it is really important that you understand what CBT for Tinnitus is for. I use one Guiding Principle to explain.

The first thing to do is to complete your initial TFI (Tinnitus Functional Index) and THI (Tinnitus Handicap Inventory). I would encourage you to complete your TFI & THI questionnaires before you enrol on the course. Here are the links on the TEP website: 

GAD-7 to measure anxiety

If you found the TEP via the Tinnitus E-Programme website, you should have already completed them. That's great! No need to do another! 

As soon as you enrol by using a code from 17th August 2022, you have access to all the materials in Module 1. The reading is not onerous, and doesn't take huge chunks of time for any of the modules. 

The Tinnitus E-Programme is not a "book about tinnitus". If you want a good, informative book about tinnitus, one of the best ones around is "Living with Tinnitus and Hyperacusis" by Laurence McKenna, David Baguley and Don McFerran. 

The Tinnitus E-Programme is a hands on, practical, module-based course of both behavioural and cognitive training for tinnitus distress. IF YOU DON'T USE IT AS SET OUT, IT CAN'T HELP YOU.

One of the elements of CBT for tinnitus is "education", and the Tinnitus E-Programme walks you through that process. 

Module 1 starts you on that process, and includes not only the basics of the mechanism of tinnitus, but even more importantly, why and how to begin making the necessary physiological changes. The practical element of the Tinnitus E-Programme is THE most significant aspect of changing the experience of tinnitus from being distressing - with all that 'distress' entails - to reducing distress. 

As well as the very easy practical exercise(s) throughout the course, I have included the neuroscience behind them. Neuroscience is basically the "brain science" behind what's going on both in terms of neurochemistry (chemical changes in the brain) and neurobiological systems (the nervous systems in the body). I have included additional optional reading about this for those with a particular interest in it all.

A Brief Background

Historically, from 2009 until mid-2018, the Tinnitus E-Programme provided an online self-directed course of Tinnitus Management. Materials used were the same as those I use in my clinics: NHS clinics (1994-2010) and private clinic (2010-2019). 

After 9 years of being self-directed and free, following analysis of its use during 2017 and 2018 since the completion of an independent evaluation by NHBRC (Nottingham Hearing Biomedical Research Centre) and the introduction of mandatory submission of initial THI (Tinnitus Handicap Inventory) mid-2017, it became clear that being entirely self-directed (no therapist input) was NOT the best way for those with severe tinnitus distress to benefit i.e. those with THI category 4 severe tinnitus distress (58-76%) and 5 very severe tinnitus distress (78-100%). The majority of users (52% of all those registered) had THI scores in excess of 58% tinnitus distress. These findings are similar to those in other self-help health fields.

After running pilot projects with Tinnitus E-Programme (TEP) users from October 2017 to July 2018 incorporating therapist input (from me) during the 6 Module Tinnitus E-Programme, everyone - without exception - who engaged, completed the course successfully. In addition, with therapist input of CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) training for those needing this additional element of Tinnitus Management, the evidence clearly pointed to the need for therapist input in addition to the course materials themselves. 

Clinical Outcomes were as good as the outcomes achieved by patients attending my clinic. This too matches findings in recent published research.