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Tinnitus Help
Expert help and support for people living with tinnitus.
Dr. Jeff has specialist interest and expertise in tinnitus; he spent five years researching tinnitus for his PhD doctoral studies and has authored several peer-reviewed scientific journals on the topic*. He currently serves as the proud chair of Nottingham's official tinnitus support group, which he hosts on a monthly basis. On a personal note, he has experienced bilateral ringing tinnitus since early childhood. Needless to say, he appreciates all aspects of the condition and takes great pride in helping his patients to better understand and manage their tinnitus.
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the phantom perception of sound heard in the ears or head (ringing, buzzing , or whistling). For some people tinnitus can have a detrimental impact on their quality of life. Around 1 in 7 adults will experience chronic tinnitus - that's over 46, 000 people in Nottingham alone. Tinnitus is also quite common in children.
The vicious cycle: negative emotional feelings associated with the tinnitus play a major role in enhancing and maintaining its continued presence. Despite its high prevalence across the world, its neurophysiological underpinnings remain elusive. Whilst there is no universal cure for tinnitus, a variety of effective clinical management strategies exist to help provide relief and put you back in control.
The use of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and/or hearing aids (where there is a co-morbid hearing loss) are considered to be both safe and effective management tools which are likely to improve tinnitus symptoms and related distress. Tinnitus.org provide an up to date peer reviewed list of tinnitus treatments, rating them in terms of safety and efficacy. Click here to check it out.
Tinnitus Management
I
Tinnitus assessment
A 90 minute tinnitus-focussed appointment. As well as a full hearing assessment, we evaluate the cognitive, sensory and emotional elements of your tinnitus. Findings and clinical recommendations will be discussed at depth. You will be given a copy of your notes and any completed tests which can be shared with your GP or ENT.
II
Cognitive behavioural therapy with Oto
Our tinnitus‑specific CBT programme blends daily self‑led guided audio therapy through the Oto app with two face‑to‑face review sessions. This clinically proven approach reduces tinnitus‑related distress and supports long‑term habituation, providing practical cognitive tools, personalised guidance, and ongoing progress tracking. Fee includes a 12‑month Oto licence.
III
Hearing aids for managing tinnitus
Hearing loss is common amongst those who experience tinnitus. Many studies have shown that the use of hearing aids can help reduce tinnitus handicap. We provide the latest in hearing aid technology (including combination devices), coupled with our expert knowledge and counselling, to help get things back on track. Check out our hearing aid page for more information.
Need more support and advice with your tinnitus? Get in touch with us today.
In partnership with Tinnitus UK, we provide and facilitate Nottingham's official tinnitus support group. A safe and supportive place where individuals who are troubled by tinnitus may come to connect with others who are living with the condition. Check out our tinnitus support group webpage HERE.
How bothersome is your tinnitus? The use of validated clinical questionnaires such as the Tinnitus Functional Index can help us to determine the extent of the problem and its impacts across a number of clinical domains. This is important for highlighting the most appropriate treatment strategies as well as measuring treatment benefit over time.
*Publications and research
E. Gander and J. Davies. (2012). How to help residents who are troubled with tinnitus. Nursing and Residential Care 14 (7): 1-5.
Davies, P. E. Gander, M. Andrews and D. A. Hall (2014). Auditory network connectivity in tinnitus patients: a resting-state fMRI study. Int J Audiol, 53 (3), 192-198.
Sereda, J. Davies and D. A. Hall (2016). Digital combination hearing aid programmes for tinnitus: feasibility, usability and acceptability. Int J Audiol .
Allan, T.W., Besle, J., Langers, D.R.M., Davies, J., Hall, D.A., Palmer, A.R. and Adjamian, P. (2016) Neuroanatomical alterations in Tinnitus assessed with magnetic resonance imaging, Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience.
Davies, J (2016) An investigation of tinnitus using behavioural and functional imaging measures. PhD thesis, University of Nottingham. An investigation of tinnitus using behavioural and functional imaging measures – Nottingham ePrints
Davies, J., P. E. Gander and D. A. Hall (2017). Does chronic tinnitus alter the emotional response function of the amygdala?: a sound-evoked fMRI study. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience.
Davies, J, W. Stevens, and S. Coulson (2017). Bringing student-led audiology outreach to India. The Hearing Journal.
Davies, J (2018) Delivering an audiology outreach clinic in Gujarat: Clinical observations and challenges. Indian J Otol. (24) pp. 28-32.
Tinnitus and mental health
Stress, anxiety, and depression can be associated with tinnitus, meaning it is crucial to recognize how your mental health can influence tinnitus distress. Commonly used validated tools, such as generalized anxiety disorder and patient health questionnaires, can help identify if you are experiencing anxiety or depression. Seeking professional assistance in this area is likely to benefit your tinnitus and improve the long term outlook.
Tinnitus-specific cognitive behavioural therapy
in the palm of your hands
Most people with bothersome and persistent tinnitus won't access cognitive behavioural therapy, despite it being the most strongly evidence-supported intervention for managing tinnitus-related distress and improving quality of life.
Oto is an app-based tinnitus management program using evidence-based CBT for tinnitus. Delivered through your audiologist, Oto provides daily audio sessions, guided exercises, and clinician-monitored progress tracking to help users maintain coping skills for tinnitus. Change unhelpful thought patterns and re-gain control of your life.
Oto is clinically studied and research-backed, with evidence from independent trials conducted in partnership with the University of Cambridge, Flinders University, and the NHS.
HOW IT WORKS
1. Following an initial tinnitus assessment (£139) with us, your audiologist recommends Oto and sets up your program and 12 month license | Additional cost £250
2. You complete a brief questionnaire so the app can tailor content to your needs.
3. Daily 10-minute audio sessions use evidence-based CBT for tinnitus.
4. Your audiologist monitors your progress through a dashboard and adjusts follow-up support as needed.
5. We offer two in-person support appointments: a progress check at 6 weeks and a final follow-up at 12 weeks.
PROGRAM FEATURES
The Oto program includes:
• A structured 6-module core program using evidence-based CBT for tinnitus
• Daily guided audio sessions (approx. 10 minutes)
• A curated sound library for focus, relaxation, and sleep
• In-app assessments to track progress over time
• Live group education sessions and support groups led by audiologists
• Clinician dashboard for real-time progress monitoring
MORE THAN JUST CBT
The Oto program also includes:
• A sleep course
• A library of soundscapes for sound enrichment therapy
• A mindfulness course
• Exercises geared towards relaxation and de-stress
HOW MUCH DOES OTO CBT COST?
We want Oto to be accessible to as many people as possible, which is why we offer it at a lower price than purchasing directly from Oto.
• We charge £250 for the full access 12 month Oto license:
• This also includes two face to face 30 minute progress updates at 6 and 12 weeks.
• A £182 saving (vs. purchasing directly from Oto @ £432)
Ready to get started?
Book a tinnitus assessment
Frequently Asked
Questions
[tinnitus appointments]
I'm struggling with my tinnitus, can you help me?
Absolutely. Tinnitus can be a frustrating, exhausting, and sometimes overwhelming condition to live with, particularly when you're unsure where to turn for reliable advice and support.
At Ear Care Specialists, Dr Jeff has both professional expertise and personal experience of living with tinnitus. He understands first-hand the challenges tinnitus can bring, from worries about hearing loss and noise exposure to difficulties with sleep, concentration, stress, and emotional wellbeing. He also runs the Nottingham Tinnitus Support Group on behalf of Tinnitus UK, helping people better understand and manage their tinnitus.
While there is rarely a simple cure for tinnitus, there are a range of evidence-based strategies that can help reduce its impact on your daily life. Following a comprehensive assessment, we can work with you to develop a personalised tinnitus management plan, which may include education, sound therapy, hearing technology, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)-based approaches, and access to digital support tools such as OTO.
Our goal is to help you better understand your tinnitus, reduce its impact on your wellbeing, and develop effective strategies to manage it with confidence. Many people leave their appointment feeling reassured, better informed, and with a clear plan for moving forward. You don't have to manage tinnitus on your own.
Will you be able to find the cause of my tinnitus?
In many cases, we can identify factors that are associated with tinnitus, but it is not usually possible to say with certainty what is causing it. There is no singular objective test that can pinpoint subjective tinnitus.
The most common finding is some degree of hearing loss, which we can assess during your hearing test. Hearing loss is strongly linked to tinnitus, particularly as a result of noise exposure or age-related changes to the hearing system. However, even when hearing loss is present, we cannot definitively say that it is the direct cause of your tinnitus.
As part of your assessment, we will look for other possible contributing factors, including noise exposure, ear conditions, jaw (TMJ) problems, neck issues, certain medications, stress, and sleep difficulties. We can also see if a referral to ENT is appropriate - where a more detailed physical examination of the head and neck can be undertaken. In some cases, no obvious underlying cause is identified.
The good news is that tinnitus is very common and is rarely a sign of anything serious. Our aim is to understand the factors that may be contributing to your tinnitus, identify any conditions that require further investigation, and discuss the most appropriate management options for you.
Is distressing tinnitus more of a mental battle than a physical problem?
Tinnitus usually starts with a physical change somewhere in the hearing system, most commonly hearing loss or changes within the inner ear and auditory pathways. This then manifests as a phantom perception of sound, associated with neural noise in the auditory parts of our brain. However, whether tinnitus becomes distressing often depends less on the sound itself and more on how the brain responds to it.
Many people have tinnitus but are not bothered by it. In contrast, those who find their tinnitus distressing often experience greater involvement of the brain's attention, emotional, and stress-processing systems. This can make the tinnitus seem louder, more intrusive, and harder to ignore, even when the physical tinnitus signal is similar.
For this reason, distressing tinnitus is often best thought of as both a physical and psychological condition. The sound itself is present in the head, but the degree of distress is heavily influenced by factors such as stress, anxiety, sleep quality, mood, and how much attention the brain gives to the tinnitus.
The encouraging news is that although we cannot always eliminate the tinnitus sound, many people can reduce its impact significantly. By improving sleep, managing stress, addressing hearing loss where present, and using evidence-based approaches such as tinnitus education and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), the brain can learn to place less importance on the tinnitus, making it much less noticeable over time.