What is SoundChoice?
More information about SoundChoice
Have you ever wanted to self-fund part of your tinnitus care, but felt lost about where to go?
Many of us want or need to pay for elements of our tinnitus care, either alongside or instead of NHS care. From sound generators to meditation CDs, earwax removal to counselling, there are many options out there.
And when it’s your money, you want to feel confident about where you spend it.
Make a SoundChoice: Trust the tick!
250,000 people come to Tinnitus UK every year, and a common question is “is there anywhere near me to get help?”
As a small but mighty national team, we can’t know every clinic in the country, but with SoundChoice we can be confident that we’re suggesting a good starting point.
SoundChoice partners have to demonstrate they meet the Tinnitus Charter, a set of six statements based on the new Tinnitus UK strategy (cocreated with the tinnitus community) that show they are taking tinnitus patients seriously. This isn’t about the latest flashy tech – it’s about ensuring patients are finding accessible, empathetic support in their area when they need it.
In return for showing how they’re putting the tinnitus community first, they receive a mark you can trust: the SoundChoice tick!
What does the SoundChoice tick mean?
The SoundChoice tick means we feel confident you’ll receive high quality care from a provider who wants to do the right thing.
Currently only available to independent clinics, SoundChoice isn’t a guarantee that you’ll find silence – it’s about making sure you can find a care provider who can help you take the right steps.
"Ultimately, it means we can help more people...tinnitus support doesn’t stop when you leave the clinic."
What can I expect from an appointment with a SoundChoice partner?
Your appointment will vary depending on your needs, but in general SoundChoice partners will work with you to find treatments and management techniques that could help with your tinnitus journey.
They will offer practical tips for managing day-to-day, and might suggest longer-term management options like hearing aids (if you have a loss), CBT, neuromodulation, sound therapy or counselling with accredited providers.
Ultimately, it’s about making sure you’ve got the options in front of you to take control of your tinnitus journey.
How much will treatment cost?
Tinnitus can be different for everyone, and so different things will work! SoundChoice isn’t an endorsement for a specific treatment or technique, only about helping you find providers who work effectively, ethically and empathically.
Treatment costs will vary from partner to partner, and you should always ask in advance for a full, costed treatment plan. Never agree to treatments you can’t afford, as financial pressure can contribute to making tinnitus even worse.
If you are concerned about the cost, you can always find free support here at Tinnitus UK, and publicly-funded treatment via the NHS.
What’s next?
SoundChoice is a new idea – and so we’re piloting it with independent clinics first to make sure it works.
If it does, we’re hoping to expand to NHS and high Street providers, making sure that everyone can get the tinnitus care they need when they need it – without the confusion!
What if I have more questions?
For more information, FAQs and alternatives to self-funded care, head to the SoundChoice homepage.