The British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists organised a roadshow event for hearing healthcare professionals in Northern Ireland on 27th September 2024 at Belfast. The aim of this event was to share best audiology practices, continuous education programmes for registered healthcare professionals, deaf awareness and specialist aspects of audiology.
There was a panel discussion moderated by Graham Pullan (Chief Officer and Chair BSHAA) with the aim of exploring possible solutions, good practice and opportunities for change, with a determined focus on patient-centred care. Panel members were:
Rakesh Chopra (ENT Tutor for The Royal College of General Practitioners)
Hashir Aazh (Director of Hashir International Institute)
Sarah Sheehan (ISHAA, Chief Audiologist Southern Ireland HH)
Lynne Weatherill (BSHAA Director, Chair CPD, Education and Training Group)
Gordon Harrison (Head of Professional Advancement and Group Clinical Lead for Audiology for the UK and Ireland, Specsavers)
Dr Hashir Aazh was the keynote speaker and talked about audiologist-delivered Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for misophonia rehabilitation. He outlined the differential diagnosis of misophonia and hyperacusis and how to identify underlying psychological disorders and sign posting the patients to appropriate mental health services when needed. He also introduced a programme of audiologist-delivered CBT comprising 14 therapy sessions focussed on managing the distress caused by misophonia. This is a specialised therapy and comprises four stages: I) Assessment, II) Preparation, III) Active treatment, and IV) Maintenance stage. The content of the therapy briefly comprises (1) education about misophonia and relevance of CBT, (2) enhancing patient’s motivation to engage with the therapy process, (3) setting goals, (4) formulation, (5) identifying troublesome thoughts, (6) identifying avoidance behaviours and rituals, (7) SEL (Stop Avoidance, Exposure, & Learn from it), (8) KKIS (Know, Keep on, Identify, Substitute), (9) identify and challenge deeper thoughts and beliefs, and (10) integrating CBT into lifestyle (CBStyle).
For more information see the event programme.
