Psychological Support for Tinnitus and Hyperacusis

Tinnitus and hyperacusis can feel overwhelming. For some people, it’s a constant ringing, buzzing, pounding or hissing in the ears (tinnitus). For others, everyday sounds may feel uncomfortably loud or even painful (hyperacusis). While these conditions affect the ears, their impact often extends far beyond hearing — influencing mood, sleep, relationships, and overall quality of life.

At Body and Brain Centre in Moonee Ponds, Melbourne, Dr Susan Roberts, a Health Psychologist with over 20 years of private practice experience, supports people in navigating the emotional and psychological challenges of tinnitus and hyperacusis. Her passion lies in helping clients not just copebut reclaim a fulfilling and productive life.

How Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Affect Daily Life

Many people living with tinnitus report:

Importantly, research shows it’s not the loudness, pitch, or pattern of tinnitus that determines how distressing it is. Instead, it’s how you relate and respond to tinnitus that influences its course and impact on your functioning, emotions and quality of life.

How a Psychologist Can Help

A psychologist can provide tools and strategies to help you change your relationship with tinnitus. This isn’t about “switching it off,” but about reducing its grip on your life.

With the right psychological support, you can:

If you’re searching for a psychologist in Melbourne’s northwest for tinnitus or hyperacusis, Susan can provide tailored, evidence-based support to help you move forward.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Tinnitus and Hyperacusis

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based, highly effective treatment for managing tinnitus and hyperacusis. Rather than targeting the sound itself, CBT helps you build new skills to change how you respond to tinnitus.

CBT for tinnitus and hyperacusis can help you:

• Shift unhelpful thoughts and responses to tinnitus

• Promote habituation (a gradual reduction in noticing or reacting to the sound)

• Lower stress and emotional distress that keep tinnitus distress going

• Learn practical coping strategies, including relaxation and stress management strategies

• Improve sleep, concentration, and overall daily functioning

With time and guidance, CBT supports people to feel calmer, more in control, and able to rejoin life with less interference from tinnitus. Over time, this supports habituation -the process of the brain ‘tuning out’ tinnitus.

Frequently Asked Questions about Psychology and Tinnitus

Is hyperacusis treated the same way as tinnitus?

Hyperacusis (sensitivity to everyday sounds) often overlaps with tinnitus and can be treated using similar psychological strategies. CBT helps reduce distress, calm the nervous system, and build resilience so everyday sounds feel less overwhelming.

Do I need to live near Moonee Ponds to see a psychologist?

No — if you live in Melbourne but not close to Moonee Ponds, or anywhere in Australia, you may still be able to access psychological support via Telehealth sessions. For many people, online consultations are just as effective as face-to-face appointments and provide the advantage of accessing support without having to travel to sessions .

How long does tinnitus therapy take to work?

Every person is different, but many notice improvements within a few weeks of starting CBT. Benefits build gradually, especially as you practice strategies between sessions. Consistency is key to reducing tinnitus-related distress over the long term.

How long does it take to habituate to tinnitus?

Habituation, the gradual reduction in your perception of tinnitus sounds over time, varies from person to person – it can take weeks, months and sometimes over a year. As you move towards habituation, you will notice a gradual increase in the periods of time when you are not aware of your tinnitus, as well as a gradual reduction in any annoyance or distress it may have caused

Taking the Next Step

Living with tinnitus or hyperacusis can feel isolating, but you don’t have to manage it alone. Psychological support can make a significant difference in how you experience and respond to these conditions.

At Body and Brain Centre in Moonee Ponds, we’re here to support the local Melbourne community with evidence-based care for tinnitus and hyperacusis. Dr Susan offers compassionate, tailored strategies to help reduce distress and reclaim peace of mind.

Alongside psychology, some people also benefit from complementary care options such as:

• Chiropractic to calm the nervous system

• Dietetics to support overall wellbeing and lifestyle changes

• Chinese medicine & acupuncture to reduce stress, reduce body tension and reduce tinnitus severity

If you’re ready to explore psychological support for tinnitus and hyperacusis, contact our Moonee Ponds clinic today to book an appointment with our psychologist.