246 - Talking Tinnitus: Gael Hannan and Her Audiologist Discuss Effective Care Approaches

For audiologists like Glynnis Tidball, managing tinnitus effectively involves more than just therapy—it’s about empowering patients with personalized and compassionate care. In this episode, Gael Hannan interviews her personal audiologist, who works at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver, Canada, specializing in both cochlear implants and tinnitus management. Glynnis shares how her journey into tinnitus care began unexpectedly, inspired by an ENT colleague’s suggestion to start a clinic. She explains the intricacies of treating tinnitus, likening it to solving a complex puzzle and emphasizing the need to understand each patient’s unique situation while working collaboratively on tailored, long-term strategies. Glynnis highlights how tinnitus care has evolved to include approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction, focusing on holistic and personalized treatment. She explains that optimizing physical health, mental well-being, and hearing functionality can reduce tinnitus distress. Gael shares her experiences with mindfulness, exercise, and hydration, noting significant improvements in her tinnitus management. Together, they stress the value of credible information and finding compassionate, well-informed providers who can guide patients through their tinnitus journey. Resources mentioned in the interview:

• **Clinical trials: https://clinicaltrials.gov/
• **Tinnitus UK (formerly British Tinnitus Association): https://tinnitus.org.uk/
• American Tinnitus Association: www.ata.org

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