Jacksonville Speech & Hearing Center

1010 N. Davis Street, Suite 101 Jacksonville, FL 32209

Tel: 904.355.3403 Fax: 904.355.4149

Welcome to Jacksonville Speech & Hearing Center!

Thank you for your interest in our tinnitus program. We understand how difficult it is to cope with constant tinnitus and how it can affect even basic day-to-day tasks. We want you to know that our doctors of audiology are here to help you navigate the information available about tinnitus, including possible treatment or management options.

Enclosed is an outline of our tinnitus program. It details everything from a basic overview of tinnitus to detailed appointment pricing. After reviewing this information, if you'd like to set up a consultation with one of our doctors, please email the requested information to clinic@shcjax.org and we'll reach out to you to get your consultation scheduled as soon as possible.

Due to the high volume of requests that we receive for tinnitus information, our doctors are not available to discuss additional details about the program without a scheduled consultation. Additionally, information cannot be provided regarding your specific needs without the requested information and time to review it.

We hope that you find the enclosed documents informative and we look forward to working with you through your tinnitus challenges.

Jacksonville Speech & Hearing Center Staff

General Tinnitus Information

Tinnitus is commonly considered a ringing sound presented in the ear. While it is most often described by patients as a ringing, it is important to note that it can occur as other sounds like whirling, hissing, whooshing, pulsing, buzzing, music, and crackling.

Tinnitus can be intermittent or constant. Most individuals will experience at least some tinnitus throughout their lifetime as no more than a minor annoyance. Others will have more severe cases that cause disruption to their daily activities.

While the true cause of tinnitus is difficult to determine, it is generally accepted as a symptom of something else. When developing a treatment plan for tinnitus, your doctor is going to look at which of your symptoms, diagnostics and other health factors are most likely contributing to the tinnitus symptoms. When addressing all health concerns known to relate to tinnitus, many individuals find relief from their symptoms. There is no known "cure" for tinnitus; however, there are treatment options that can help develop habits and coping tools to help reduce or manage the symptoms.

The stressful and negative nature of tinnitus often creates feelings of helplessness or hopelessness, especially when discovering there is no proven cure available today. If you are feeling discouraged about the lack of options for tinnitus treatment, we want you to know that we understand and we are here for you.

How to Get Started

There are two very critical parts to this program that you'll need to commit to prior to contacting us for your consultations. First, prepare your mind to start fresh today. Don't hold on to any preconceived notions or frustrations of the past. Second, this program requires you to be dedicated to a solution. You must be a compliant patient. Treatment may require developing new habits or getting rid of some old ones. It will likely also require some patience. This treatment is not an overnight process.

We're going to need some healthcare history and possibly some diagnostics for an evaluation and consultation. Enclosed within this document are a tinnitus inventory questionnaire and a health factors inventory. They will need to be completed and submitted to the doctor, along with any supporting diagnostic documents. This will need to be done at least one week prior to your consultation.

The program is best when conducted in-person but can also be conducted remotely (by phone or video) if the situation calls for those accommodations and as long as all of the needed information can be provided.

Program Appointments and Costs - Costs are currently covered by a grant available from Baptist Health

Our tinnitus program is conducted by licensed and trained Doctors of Audiology with patients over 16 years of age. The program is not covered by insurance, which means all costs are the responsibility of the patient. Program payments must be made in full at the time services are rendered. Program results vary.

Initial Consultation - $150

The initial consultation may involve any or all of the following components:

Up to a 60-minute session with the doctor
Review of whole body health history
Review of hearing health history
Tinnitus handicap inventory
Diagnostic testing
Discussion regarding mental health status
Opportunity for questions
Diagnosis and treatment recommendation

Counseling and Treatment Implementation - $200

Counseling and treatment may involve any or all of the following components:

• Up to 60-minute session with the doctor
• Scheduled, 15- to 30-minute, two-week follow-up
• Contact information for direct access to your doctor
• Written treatment plan
• Detailed review of plan
• Practicing of exercises
• Discussion regarding concerns

 

Treatment plans are developed based on Expectation counseling patient needs and may include the following: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) ~ Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) ~ Masking ~ Hearing Rehabilitation

 

Two-Month and Four-Month Treatment Check-up - $50

Treatment check-up may involve any or all of the following components:

• Up to 15-minute session
• Treatment plan review
• Treatment plan adjustments
• Discussion regarding mental health status
• Additional counseling

Additional Appointments - $50 (per 15 minutes)

Additional appointments may consist of:

• Consultation, in person or by phone
• Counseling, in person or by phone
• Plan adjustments, in person or by phone

Additional Costs

As part of your treatment plan, your doctor may recommend devices like sound machines, hearing aids, or tinnitus maskers. They may also recommend working in conjunction with other specialists, fitness plans, or health supplements. These costs are not listed above and will vary based on your individual, recommended treatment plan. Any additional costs will be the responsibility of the patient.

Instructions: The purpose of this questionnaire is to identify, quantify, and evaluate the difficulties that you may be experiencing because of tinnitus. Please do not skip any questions. When you have answered all of the questions, add up your total score, based on the values for each response.  SCORE: Yes (4 points), Sometimes (2 points), and No (0 points).

Because of your tinnitus, is it difficult for you to concentrate?

Does the loudness of your tinnitus make it difficult for you to hear

Does your tinnitus make you angry?

Does your tinnitus make you feel confused?

Because of your tinnitus, do you feel desperate?

Do you complain a great deal about your tinnitus?

Because of your tinnitus, do you have trouble falling to sleep at night?

Do you feel as though you cannot escape your tinnitus?

Does your tinnitus interfere with your ability to enjoy your social activities (such as going out to dinner, to the movies)?

Because of your tinnitus, do you feel that you have a terrible disease?

Does your tinnitus make it difficult for you to enjoy life?

Does your tinnitus interfere with your job or household

Because of your tinnitus, do you find that you are often irritable?

Because of your tinnitus, is it difficult for you to read?

Does your tinnitus make you upset?

Do you feel that your tinnitus problem has placed stress on your

relationships with members of your family and friends?

Do you find it difficult to focus your attention away from your tinnitus and on other things?

Do you feel that you have no control over your tinnitus?

Because of your tinnitus, do you often feel tired?

Because of your tinnitus, do you feel depressed?

Does your tinnitus make you feel anxious?

Do you feel that you can no longer cope with your tinnitus?

Does your tinnitus get worse when you are under stress?

Does your tinnitus make you feel insecure?

19. Estimate the percentage of time over a month period (not counting sleeping) when you are:

 Tinnitus is more than a ringing in your ear. For many, it affects your mental health. We want to make sure you are successful in managing every aspect of your tinnitus. Working with a counselor to develop health compensatory strategies is highly recommended. Below are some resources that we recommend looking into. For on-going counseling, you may want to contact your insurance carrier for assistance identifying someone that is in your network or covered by insurance.

Emergency Line

If you are having self-harming or suicidal thoughts, immediately call 911.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255

Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish. Learn more

Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor Available 24 hours

Veteran Crisis Line: 800-273-8255, Press 1, Text Message to 838255

Chat Online: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

Available 24 hours to all veterans and service members, their family and friends

Professional Counseling

These counselors or groups are known to have therapists on staff that specialize in CBT, ART or Tinnitus patients. Please contact the confirm acceptance of insurance or self-pay rates.

D'Arienzo Psychology (904) 379-8094 11512 Lake Mead Ave #704 . In Hampton Village Office Park https://www.drdarienzo.com/

Beaches Therapy - DBT & Mindfulness Center (904)299-3420 1552 Roberts Dr, Jacksonville Beach, FL https://www.beachestherapy.com/

Beaches Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (904) 447-1467 Louis R. Franzini, Ph.D. https://www.louisfranzini.com/

Jacksonville Center For Counseling (904) 7 737-7242

3560 Cardinal Point Dr SUITE # 204

http://jacksonvillecenterforcounseling.com/

Non-profit counseling providers can be found on https://www.opencounseling.com/florida/jacksonville

Check with your employer to see if they have an EAP with counseling benefits.