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Tinnitus Help
Expert help and support for people living with tinnitus.
Dr. Jeff has a special interest 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 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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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 CBT
in the palm of your hands
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. Your audiologist recommends Oto and sets up your program and 12 month license.
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.
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