Join us for an interactive workshop about understanding Tinnitus using the principles of perception and psychology,
The workshop takes place on Tuesday 25th April from 10am – 12 noon at the Badger of Brockwell. To book email us at chesterfieldtinnitus@gmail.com
Tinnibot App for Tinnitus
Tinnibot – all sounds a bit space age but during the pandemic we have been thrown into a world of technology. Furthermore, Jodie Rogers, one of the Senior Specialist Audiologists at Chesterfield Royal Hospital said it is worth looking at. The Tinnibot was introduced at the BTA conference at a talk Audrey and I were unable to attend because of other commitments. However, the videos are available for some time so I went back to listen to it.
At the present time, whilst trials are underway, the Tinnibot is free – if you go to http://www.hearingpower.co/tinnibot you can register and receive a referral code to be able to open the Tinnibot app. The App is available on iphone and android.
So, what is Tinnibot?
Tinnibot is a companion for Tinnitus relief. Its aim is to:
The Tinnibot app was designed by a field of experts including input from tinnitus patients. It aims to offer personalised support in a safe way whilst complying with data protection regulations.
Tinnibot has an 8-week programme to follow and covers:
There are also podcasts on the App as well as a transcript for anyone with hearing loss.
There is a calendar and journal to show your progress and create a gratitude journal if you wish.
There is also a chat function on Tinnibot – hence the idea that Tinnibot is your companion with tinnitus. You can tell Tinnibot how you are feeling and what your worries are. We were given a demonstration on the video and the presenter typed in that he was worried that with tinnitus he would not be able to live a normal life. Tinnibot tries to understand how this is making you feel. It will then provide a list of information that may help for example – Tinnibot may identify that this is catastrophising or give more understanding about how to identify negative thoughts and how to refrain your thoughts in a positive way. These thoughts then can be added to your personal journal.
If you are interested why not try it out, at the moment it is free.
On registering you will be asked a few questions about how bothersome your tinnitus is and will establish tinnitus goals with you.
Online Support
We would like to welcome you to our online support group meeting.
As a result of Covid-19 restrictions and social distancing measures, our group are introducing online tinnitus support group meetings. Our meetings will offer flexible support, an opportunity to meet existing members who are managing the condition, all from the comfort of your own home.
Meeting dates
Tuesday 2nd February 1.30pm – Speaker Nic Wray from the British Tinnitus Association – Research round-up and how to get involved
Tuesday 2nd March – 1.30pm – coffee and chat
Tuesday 6th April 1.30pm – Chair based exercise
The meetings will be via zoom -To get the login information please contact us at mail@tinnitussupport.org.uk or by phoning the group on 01246 380415
Login and bring a brew
You will need a computer able to access zoom and a webcam or built in camera.
UNDERSTANDING TINNITUS
The BTA state “Tinnitus is the perception of noises in the head and/or ear which have no external source. It derives from the latin word for ringing and those living with the condition may have to endure a ringing, buzzing, hissing, whistling or other noise. The sensation can be constant or intermittent.”
Why do we react to Tinnitus? Why does it appear worse at some times than others?
To answer this, we can look to some basic principles of the psychology of perception. Our sensory systems provide vast amounts of information on the objects and events around us, but too much for us to utilise effectively.
To do that we need perception, the process by which we become aware of the information and make sense of the incoming data so as to allow us to interpret it in a meaningful way and act accordingly.
Perception
Sensation and perception are two separate processes that are closely intertwined. Sensation represents the ‘input’ – in this case our tinnitus and the perception is the process by which the brain selects, organises and interprets these sensations.
Perception is a creation, it is our brains, mind and the neurons inside our heads creating the world for us.
When we hear a stimulus – our tinnitus – the first thing we do is attend to it – pay it attention. We need to do this because we need to process it. This is not the end of the process because then we need to recognise it. As it is an internal sound and not one we are used to – it becomes frightening because we can’t recognise it.
However, perception also takes into consideration our prior experiences, the effect of memory, learning and previous encounters with a similar stimuli.
Think about your Tinnitus – what does it sound like?
High pitched whistle – could it be like a warning – need to move to be safe
The sound of a pressure cooker – we need to react because it may boil dry
The sound of the television when it used to close down in the evening – we need to react, switch it off.
To all of these sounds you need to take some action to stop it
Attention
We are continually bombarded by stimuli, but we are not always aware of it. We don’t always feel the pants we are wearing unless we pay attention to them. One of the ways we manage tinnitus is by bringing in other stimuli for our senses. However, if we focus intently on our tinnitus we could miss the other stimuli (inattentional blindness).
If you have been to one of our workshops we may have shown you the famous study by Daniel Simons and Christopher Chabris (1999). In this study participants watched a video of people dressed in black and white passing basketballs. Participants were asked to count the number of times the team in white passed the ball. During the video, a person dressed in a black gorilla costume walks among the teams. You would notice a person dressed as a gorilla surely as it is so unusual? Nearly half of the people who watched the video didn’t notice the gorilla at all. They were so focused on the people passing the ball they completely tuned out other information.
This may be why you perceive your tinnitus even with the TV on or in a football match
Audrey has often told the story where she was chatting to a friend but never heard what the friend was saying, she was only paying attention to her tinnitus.
Management Tip
Try listening mindfully to your favourite piece of music or song. Can you make out all the words? Distract yourself from your tinnitus by concentrating on your other senses – sight, smell and touch.
Motivation
Motivation can also affect perception. You may not want to be paying attention to your tinnitus but you are tuned into. Motivation can be positive and negative. It may be whilst waiting for an important call, you think you hear the phone ringing whilst in the shower.
It is the same effect when a mother sleeps through a thunder storm but hears the slightest cry of her baby, she has an emotional reaction to this sound and so reacts to it and not other stimuli. Again, you perceive your tinnitus in a noisy environment because you are tuning in to it.
Contrast
Contrast also affects our perception. If someone’s mobile phone lights up in a dark theatre before a performance, you will most likely perceive it but if the same phone lights up in the well-lit bar in the interval, you will not notice it.
A number of our group members state they notice their tinnitus after being in the car and coming in the house. This is the contrast between the noise of the engine and the quiet house. Of course, tinnitus is most noticeable at night when you have had other stimuli around, maybe the TV, radio or your partner talking and then suddenly the quiet bedroom.
Management Tip
Try sleep Apps or under-pillow speakers. Pillow Speakers are available from the British Tinnitus Association. See below for website address.
Conclusion
Perception is a complex process, we all have different beliefs, values and life experiences which affect our perception. Our experience of tinnitus is, therefore, affected by all these things. However, understanding some of the basic psychological principles which affect perception can help us to make sense of our experience of tinnitus.
References: British Tinnitus Association – https://www.tinnitus.org.uk/
Future Learnhttps://www.futurelearn.com/courses/sensation-perception/7/todo/72694?utm_campaign=sensation-perception-w
Helen Jeffery first came to know about the group in 2012 when she started with Tinnitus. Helen is also a professional career life coach and trainer and we asked her to put some tips together for staying positive over this very different and difficult time. Helen has put together a fantastic presentation and video which contains some useful tips for us all. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUcc5HIZVPg&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR31ZQw_nx08jdgQwKTp4Imne-ZwUqsg8UcQQAtxEVR9dkxfyeCeQYN87hY
In a survey by the British Tinnitus Association 6 out of 10 people reported difficulty sleeping with Tinnitus. We are pleased to announce thanks to Chesterfield Health and Wellbeing Small grants scheme we have a wealth of resources, books and information to loan and share to help get a Good Night’s Sleep with Tinnitus. To find out more come along to our event on 6th April at Monkey Park, Brampton Chesterfield 1pm – 3pm
The Poetry Buzz book has arrived! A compilation of poems written by group members, with the theme of wellbeing and mindfulness, has now been printed thanks to the support of Thompsons Solicitors. We will be selling the books at future events at the bargain price of £2 – all proceeds will go to the support group. If you can’t make it to an event but would like us to post one, please send a cheque for £2.50 (the extra 50p to cover postage) payable to Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Tinnitus Support Group to
Can you be involved with a research study?
Tinnitus and stress Stress is known to have an impact on health, and is linked to tinnitus. For example, people who have more severe tinnitus report a higher level of stress and more stress symptoms than those who had milder tinnitus. Some people also link the start of their tinnitus with the occurrence of a stressful event. But it is not clear whether tinnitus acts as a stressor, or stress leads to or makes tinnitus worse. At the NIHR Nottingham BRC (University of Nottingham), PhD student Asma Elarbed is conducting research to answer this question. She is measuring “cortisol” which is an important human hormone that is released by the “adrenal gland” in response to stress. She is comparing the level of cortisol (from hair sample) in people who have tinnitus with those who do not have tinnitus, and before and after tinnitus starts. This will tell us more about the biology of tinnitus. She is also looking at issues that relate to stress and tinnitus, namely depression, anxiety, memory, and attention, to determine how all these factors relate to each other. If you would like to participate or to know more, contact Asma Elarbed at this email: asma.elarbed@nottingham.ac.uk
We were pleased to work with Jack Todhunter to produce a short promotional video about our group, how we have helped and supported our members. Please watch this short video to find out more about our group, what help and support we offer and how we can help you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQBgEZe26PY&t=1s
In conjunction with Walking for Health we are organising a series of Wellbeing Walks. The walks will last 30 – 90 minutes and are suitable for most walking abilities.
Look out for our next wellbeing walk coming soon
The walks are open for anyone who needs to walk for health and not just people diagnosed with Tinnitus. The Walks are a great way to meet new people, have a chat, laugh and help to get fit. Sponsored by the Community Fund.
