Welcome to the Tinnitus E-Programme
The materials used in the Tinnitus E-Programme are to be used over a period of 6 - 10 weeks. Therefore, to give them a meaningful order here, they are made available in sections below. Here is an overview of the Tinnitus E-Programme
VIDEO WELCOME
Use the link here to see a short video (4 minutes) that is also available to view when you join the Support Forum. It was recorded in June 2009 when the Tinnitus E-Programme was first launched as an on-line resource
The additional questionnaires mentioned in the video are available on the Support Forum. Please note that the email address to use for sending your completed questionnaires has changed - simply use info@clitheroetherapies.co.uk
Please ensure you have completed the THI questionnaire prior to starting the course, then forward your completed questionnaire to Debbie Featherstone by sending it as an attachment
IMPORTANT! Anyone who uses the Tinnitus E-Programme is agreeing to the Conditions of Use Therefore, please read Conditions of Use BEFORE you begin the Tinnitus E-Programme.Being a self-directed course, it cannot replace the expertise you would otherwise access by working with a suitably qualified and experienced tinnitus management specialist
IN ADDITION to the course materials below:
- Join the Support Forum while you are undertaking the Tinnitus E-Programme. You will need a Yahoo ID to join as it is a Yahoo E-Group; registering for the Forum will take you through the process of obtaining a Yahoo ID if you don't already have one
- The Support Forum is jointly moderated by professionals and lay persons who have used the tools available through the Tinnitus E-Programme on this website
Now please register to use the Tinnitus E-Programme
Please complete this form before you begin the Tinnitus E-Programme, using the comments box to say that you are registering for the Tinnitus E-Programme, and to give some information about why you are using it.
Thank you
Thank you! Enjoy using the Tinnitus E-Programme! Now complete the THI questionnaire if you haven't done so and send it to info@clitheroetherapies.co.uk
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The Tinnitus E-Programme Course Materials
WEEK 1
In addition to being given the above information, patients are instructed in how to undertake the following breathing exercise. This exercise is recommended to be used at least 3 times every day from the beginning of Week 1 throughout the whole programme:
WEEK 2
Stress in all its forms can contribute significantly to tinnitus distress. The diagram of the "stress curve" serves to show how increased levels of arousal only increases intended performance / activity to an optimum point, thereafter any increase in levels of arousal results in reduced performance / activity and can lead to negative and unwanted effects
This 30 minute relaxation recorded exercise can be downloaded and copied on to a CD and is for daily use during week 2:
IMPORTANT NOTE!
If there is a problem opening this link directly, right click on the link, and Save Link As or Save Target as, and download it to a file in your computer. This applies to all the links for the relaxation recordings on this page
WEEK 3
The materials for week 3 include:
- “The Three Levels of Hearing” that explains the perception of tinnitus in terms of the three levels of hearing i.e. first, second and third levels, and
- A summary of the original paper published by Jonathan Hazell in 1993 called The Significance of Sound
I use both of these items in the third week of the course. They are both self- explanatory, and help my patients to further understand the principles behind how it is attentional-focus and stress, discussed earlier during weeks one and two respectively, that relate so significantly to tinnitus distress
This 30 minute relaxation recorded exercise can be downloaded and copied on to a CD and is for daily use during week 3:
WEEK 4
The materials for week 4 consist of one document plus a third 30 minute relaxation exercise, however, week 4 is crucial to taking understanding to the next step. It is immersed in Cognitive Behavioural method, and walks the patient through a process of identifying negative thoughts and then challenging those thoughts through looking at the evidence for and against them. Where clinicians have expertise in using CBT, it is recommended they supplement the E-Programme materials with their own which will enhance patients' use of challenging and re-evaluating their thoughts when this is required
This 30 minute relaxation recorded exercise can be downloaded and copied on to a CD and is for daily use during week 4:
WEEK 5
For several years now, I have used material for Week 5 that is based on a document called Taming Tinnitus that is available through the British Tinnitus Association on the following link:
There is a dowloadable link to this publication on this BTA web page under the heading "Treatment and Management of Tinnitus" called "Taming Tinnitus - Behavioural Techniques". You can also download the document in PDF format
It is an excellent article authored by three eminent psychologists, and it gives direction concerning many "Do's" and "Don'ts" about managing tinnitus.
In addition, there is a highly effective "attentional-focus" exercise near the beginning of the document :"Take some time each day to practice switching your attention...."
In my experience, patients who have followed the E-Programme as described above through the preceeding 4 weeks, using the relaxation exercises as directed each day, have been in a good position to be able to undertake this "attentional-focus" exercise with excellent results.
The following and final 30 minute relaxation recorded exercise can be downloaded and copied on to a CD and is for daily use during week 5
WEEK 6
This final week of the programme is one of consolidation. As facilitator of the "live"clinic, I have used it is an opportunity for questions and clarification, as well as giving my patients the opportunity to complete a survey-type questionnaire commenting upon the programme contents and its delivery.
By week 6, all four of the 30 minute recorded relaxation exercises have been used. In the "live" clinic, I undertake a "live" relaxation exercise with my patients, however, an alternative to this would be to use one of the four recorded exercises chosen by a majority of the patients in any "live" group setting.
Patients are requested to continue using the breathing exercise - as they have done consistently throughout the previous weeks, and to continue having 30 minutes relaxation time (one of the 30 minute recordings) each day for the next 4 weeks.
Week 10
This takes patients up to week 10, when each returns for an individual review of their progress. At this review, the initial measures undertaken are repeated, and a comparison is made giving an Outcome reflecting change.
It is therefore important that after week 10, the THI questionnaire is completed again.
If you have used the Tinnitus E-Programme, found it beneficial and would like to send in a short testimonial to say how the course has helped you, please email me at info@clitheroetherapies.co.uk
And if you would like to make a payment toward having used the Tinnitus E-Programme, you can do so. This is not obligatory
Upon Completion of the Tinnitus E-Programme
Please complete the following form and use the comments box to tell me about your experience of using the Tinnitus E-Programme. Please also confirm that you have sent your 2nd completed THI questionnaire (your results) in the comments box
Thank you! Your information has been submitted successfully.
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I hope you have enjoyed using the Tinnitus E-Programme!
Best wishes
Debbie Featherstone
Hearing Therapist
