Krys Klytta, the BTA's Events Manager, answers questions about our Tinnitus Adviser Training courses

Do you support with people with tinnitus? This may be in a formal setting, such as an Audiology Department, or an informal community setting, such as a Tinnitus Support Group. If so, then our Tinnitus Adviser Training aims to build on existing experiences to enable participants to become better equipped to help and support people with tinnitus.

Delivered by an experienced team and led by a Chartered Counselling Psychologist and Registered Psychotherapist, the Tinnitus Adviser Training offered by the BTA is the only course of its type in the UK and is open to people from all sectors of the tinnitus community.

Why have the BTA done this?

A key objective of the British Tinnitus Association (BTA) is to, ‘Encourage and promote the provision of sufficiently trained people for the management/treatment of those with tinnitus.’ The internationally recognised Tinnitus Adviser Training allows us to achieve this by offering a counselling-based model of support for use in a range of settings with tinnitus patients/clients.

The Tinnitus Adviser Training offered by the BTA is the only course of its type in the world.

Who is the course suitable for?

We welcome applications from professionals such as hearing therapists, audiologists, hearing aid dispensers etc as well as those working in a social work, voluntary, support group or other community setting.

What does the cost include?

The cost covers:

• course materials and handouts
• certificate on completion
• all refreshments
• all meals, including a three course dinner on Friday evening, lunch both days and Saturday breakfast
• overnight accommodation on Friday.

Any additional accommodation, food etc is not covered in the cost and must be paid to the hotel before departure. If extra accommodation is required either side of the course this can be organised for you at a reduced rate.

What is the programme for the course?

The sessions planned include:

• introduction to the BTA and the workshop
• the initial stage: the helping relationship and the patient’s story
• the middle stage: establishing shared goals
• the final stage: supporting positive outcomes
• endings and practice issues
• audiological input
• medical input
• feedback

Who are the tutors?

The trainer is Roly Fletcher Chartered Psychologist (BPS) and Counselling Psychologist (HPC), practitioner in NHS and private practice.

Each course will also have input from practising audiologists, consultants and researchers.

What will be the outcome?

That’s very much down to the participants. We hope you will leave with a better understanding of tinnitus, and better equipped to help and support people with tinnitus.

Comments from previous attendees on the course include:

“ fantastic opportunity to learn about tinnitus and to be able to apply it to all pathologies seen in Audiology ”

“ I found the course extremely helpful and I do feel empowered and much more confident in dealing with my patients with tinnitus ”

“ very informative and a lot of material covered - I hope that with reflection I can put these concepts into practice ”

“ I found the course to be extremely useful, relevant and thought provoking ”

This course has been accredited with 8 CPD (Continuing Professional Development) points from the British Academy of Audiology and 9.5 BSHAA CPD points.

Participants who complete the training will receive a certificate of attendance and the BTA will maintain a list of registered helpers who have completed the course.

However, the BTA also reserves the right to withdraw any name from the list if it is felt that the person concerned is not acting in the best interests of the BTA. We expect that members will want the BTA to maintain standards and this is an effort to undertake that task.

How can I get more information or book my place?

For more information about the course and to book a place, please initially contact me on 0114 2509933 or by email at krys@tinnitus.org.uk, this is the best way to ensure there is a place available on your chosen course. You can then book a place over the phone or by downloading the brochure and returning the the booking form or you can book online through our shop.

Dates and venues for 2013

14-15 June 2013 – Sheffield

25-26 October 2013 – Sheffield

For further information or to reserve a place, please contact Krys Klytta, Events Manager on krys@tinnitus.org.uk or call 0114 250 9933 . You can also book through the BTA website at www.tinnitus.org.uk