1. Tony Kay – Head of Audiology Services Aintree Tinnitus Support Group Wednesday 1 st July 2015 Feedback from focus group June 2015

2. Aintree Tinnitus Support Group Registered with the BTA AIN1314 – 20% discount on BTA membership

3. The Terms of Reference of Aintree Tinnitus Support Group To provide additional information and support to patients, and their significant others, living with tinnitus It is not a substitute for an individual management plan and individual medical advice cannot be given at the meetings

4. Boundaries Not a substitute for individual assessment Unilateral, pulsatile and distressing tinnitus should be investigated Respect confidentiality Respect any shared experiences Unable to answer specific questions

5. Good points: Support Learning from others in the group Passing on information Sharing experiences Meeting people with the same problem Learning new ways to cope Informative

6. Areas for improvement: Hear more people tell their story – what started the tinnitus and what helps?

7. Current format – what can be improved?: Current format is very good It is a really good group Talk/presentations at each meeting are useful Visual aids are good Information is very important Helps us accept we are not alone

8. ATSG Website: Difficult to read Cannot access from I-pad No information on hyperacusis Actions: Informed communications department Hyperacusis information added to website

9. Topics for future meetings Hyperacusis Hearing aid technology Sound enrichment products Support living with somebody with tinnitus Positive thinking & coping strategies Psychotherapy Basic information regularly Individual stories Perhaps some day meetings