The Tinnitus Room with Dr Gladys Sanda

Hyperacusis is not just being sensitive to sound. For many people it is a threat-based brain response that shrinks their world, fuels fear, and is far too often missed.In this episode I sit down with my friend and mentor Myriam Westcott, a veteran audiologist with over 30 years of experience treating tinnitus, hyperacusis, acoustic shock and tensor tympani syndrome. Myriam is one of the most knowledgeable and compassionate clinicians I know, and this conversation did not disappoint.We talk about why hyperacusis is so misunderstood, how it differs from misophonia and reactive tinnitus, and what both patients and clinicians need to know to stop the cycle before it takes over.You will hear why so many people with hyperacusis are told to avoid sound without being given the full picture, and why that advice can sometimes make things worse. Myriam also explains why sound-induced pain does not automatically mean sound-induced damage, and how fear and beliefs can turn ordinary sounds into triggers for people living with sound sensitivity.We cover:What hyperacusis really is and why it is so often underdiagnosed, even in people who already have tinnitusThe difference between hyperacusis, misophonia, reactive tinnitus and acoustic shockTensor tympani syndrome, what it is, and why it may explain clicking, fluttering, fullness, pressure and vibration in the earWhen ear protection helps people with hyperacusis, when it harms, and how to use it without making your world smallerWhy severe hyperacusis needs a pain-first, biopsychosocial approachHow the brain and nervous system drive sound intolerance, and what that means for treatmentIf you have been told your hyperacusis or tensor tympani syndrome symptoms are all in your head, or if you are struggling to find answers for sound sensitivity, tinnitus or unexplained ear pain triggered by everyday noise, this episode offers a clearer, calmer way forward.Essential listening for anyone living with hyperacusis, tinnitus, tensor tympani syndrome, acoustic shock or misophonia, and for audiologists and clinicians who want to understand these conditions more deeply.Learn more about Myriam Westcott and her work at www.myriamwestcott.comFollow me on Instagram @tinnituswithgladys for practical tinnitus strategies.Resources:Free tinnitus masterclass:www.drgladys.co.uk/learn

Tinnitus does not have to become your whole identity. Dr. Gladys Sanda and Dr. Emily Hensarling unpack why the real breakthrough is not chasing a cure, but learning how to change your response, calm your nervous system, and move forward with confidence.For anyone stuck in the 2 a.m. Google spiral, this conversation cuts through the noise. Emily explains why tinnitus is a symptom, not a disease, why the brain keeps checking back in, and why “quick fix” promises, from supplements to viral hacks, usually keep people trapped in fear instead of helping them heal.You’ll discover:why hearing aids can help, but are only one part of the picturethe moment of pause that helps interrupt the stimulus-response cyclehow emotional regulation and cognitive flexibility can reduce distresswhy uncertainty feeds tinnitus anxiety, and how to stop feeding itwhat red flags really do need medical follow-uphow group coaching can help people feel less alone without turning into comparison or doomEmily shares how her SoundShift program blends education, workbook exercises, guided meditations, breathing techniques, and facilitated group support to help people build real skills, not just collect information. Emily adds a clinician’s perspective on the importance of multidisciplinary care, values-based living, and helping patients curate their information environment so they can get back to living.If tinnitus has started to shape your thoughts, sleep, and sense of self, this episode offers a calmer, more practical path forward. Essential listening for anyone living with tinnitus, supporting someone who is, or looking for a better way to treat the distress behind the sound.Dr. Emily Hensarling is a clinical audiology provider with more than two decades of experience and a certified coach focused on helping people manage tinnitus more holistically. She created the SoundShift program through her new website, RedefiningTinnitus.com Her Instagram is @redefiningtinnitus Dr. Gladys Sanda brings the clinical and coaching perspective, guiding the conversation toward realistic, compassionate strategies that help patients regain control.Follow me on Instagram @tinnituswithgladys for practical tinnitus strategies.Resources: Free tinnitus masterclass: www.drgladys.co.uk/learn

For many people, tinnitus becomes a source of grief, anxiety and a daily battle with something you cannot switch off.Dr Ashley Wiltshire knows this firsthand. As a physician and reproductive endocrinologist, she understands the medical side of tinnitus and hearing loss. She also lives with both. In this episode she courageously shares her story, from childhood tinnitus that was once just background noise, to a diagnosis that stopped her in her tracks, to finding her way back to a life that still includes travel, socialising and peace of mind.You will hear how she used tinnitus retraining therapy, background sound, therapy and practical self-advocacy to get through the hardest season. We also talk about the mindset shifts that changed everything, including why trying to control silence can backfire, why hearing protection matters without letting fear take over, and why the belief that you will never enjoy life again is simply not true.We also discuss something many people never hear talked about openly. How tinnitus can fluctuate with stress, sleep and the menstrual cycle. And what that means for how you manage it day to day.If you are newly diagnosed, supporting someone with tinnitus, or trying to stop the fear from running your life, this episode offers both validation and real hope.Ashley still sees patients. She still socialises. She still lives fully. And so can you.Resources:Follow me on Instagram @tinnituswithgladys for practical tinnitus strategies.Free tinnitus masterclass:www.drgladys.co.uk/learn

Craig lived with mild tinnitus for over 20 years. Then in 2023, everything changed. A strange vibrating sensation in his left ear turned into constant tinnitus, sudden hearing loss, hyperacusis to low frequency sounds, and vertigo attacks that left him unable to stand.In this episode, Craig shares what it was like to hit a breaking point during a full blown spike, the panic attack that followed, and the months of sleepless nights that came after. He talks through his search for answers, from a possible Ménière's diagnosis to vestibular migraine, and why getting some answers, even without a cure, gave him a path towards acceptance.Craig also shares what has actually helped him manage his tinnitus day to day. This includes exercise, cold water immersion, sauna use, sound therapy through his hearing aid, and stepping back from online forums that only added to his fear.If you're in the middle of a bad flare and feel like you're the only one dealing with this, Craig's story is proof that it does get better, even when it doesn't feel that way right now.Follow me on Instagram @tinnituswithgladys for practical tinnitus strategies.Resources:Free tinnitus masterclass: ⁠www.drgladys.co.uk/learn

Tinnitus is invisible. But its impact on your relationships is very real. In this episode, I explore how tinnitus can lead to withdrawal, guilt and isolation, and more importantly, how to find your way back to the people who matter.I will share how to explain tinnitus to the people in your life, what to ask for from them, and why warm, stimulating connection is one of the most powerful tools in your recovery. I also work through a typical scenario that I hear daily in my clinic, and I share practical steps to help you re-engage socially, at your own pace, without overwhelm.I have tinnitus myself. I know how lonely it can feel. This episode is for anyone who wants to feel less alone in it.Follow me on Instagram @tinnituswithgladys for practical tinnitus strategies.Resources:Free tinnitus masterclass:⁠www.drgladys.co.uk/learn

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Jennifer Gans, licensed psychologist and founder of mindfultinnitusrelief.com. She shares a very different way of understanding tinnitus, and explains why many people feel stuck with it for years.Most people are told tinnitus is something they have to live with, manage, or hope will go away. Dr. Gans explains why, in many cases, tinnitus is better understood as a brain error, a false alarm that the system keeps repeating.We explore how the brain’s prediction system can get it wrong, especially in states of stress and high vigilance, and how this can keep tinnitus feeling intrusive and distressing.We cover:Why tinnitus can become a “stuck” pattern rather than an ongoing problem in the earsHow accurate education can reduce fear and distressThe role of mindfulness in creating space between sound and reactionHow attention and anxiety keep tinnitus activePractical ways to change your response without relying on devices or quick fixesWhy learning to respond, rather than react, is key to moving forwardDr. Gans shares a clear approach that uses mindfulness to help you reduce suffering from tinnitus and regain a sense of control.This is not about finding a cure or eliminating tinnitus. It is about understanding what is happening in your brain, and using that knowledge to change your experience of it.An honest and practical conversation about shifting tinnitus from something that dominates your life, to something your brain no longer needs to prioritise.This episode kicks off a series of conversations with healthcare professionals dedicated to helping people with tinnitus reclaim their lives.Follow me on Instagram @tinnituswithgladys for practical tinnitus strategies.Resources:Free tinnitus masterclass:www.drgladys.co.uk/learn

In this episode, I speak with Emma about her journey with tinnitus after noise exposure, and how she moved from despair to living a full life again.We cover:​Telling people about her tinnitus, without it defining you or your self worth​Finding new passions and building a meaningful life alongside it​What she would avoid doing if she developed tinnitus for the first time​Tinnitus spikes and how she responds to them​Turning the pain of tinnitus into purpose and advocating for others​How she navigated tinnitus during her weddingThis is not a story about tinnitus disappearing. Emma still has tinnitus. It no longer defines her life or limits what she does.An honest conversation about identity, purpose, and living well with tinnitus.Follow me on Instagram @tinnituswithgladys for practical tinnitus strategies.Resources:www.drgladys.co.uk/learn

In this episode, I speak with Nick about his journey with tinnitus, and why he was convinced he was the one person who would never habituate.We cover:Believing he was the worst tinnitus case and could never recoverThe fear of never living a normal life againNavigating grief alongside the onset of tinnitusIntrusive thoughts and the obsession to constantly fix the soundHow OCD patterns and reassurance seeking maintained distressShifting from control and resistance to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy principlesAddressing wider psychological factors, not just tinnitus itselfReclaiming his life while still living with tinnitusThis is not a story about tinnitus disappearing. Nick still hears tinnitus...though he talks about a period where he did not notice tinnitus for 3 weeks!The difference is that it no longer dictates his choices, attention, or future.An honest conversation about grief, intrusive thoughts, acceptance, and rebuilding life after believing you were the exception.Follow me on Instagram @tinnituswithgladys for practical tinnitus strategies.Resources:Free tinnitus masterclass⁠⁠⁠:⁠www.drgladys.co.uk/learn

In this episode, I speak with Mike about his journey with tinnitus which spans over more than three decades, and what changed when it suddenly became impossible to ignore.We cover:Living with tinnitus for 30 yearsWhy longstanding tinnitus can become distressing later in lifeHow his journey with tinnitus is comparable to his journey in diabetesMoving from cynicism to being ready to embrace tinnitus coachingHow understanding tinnitus changed his relationship with the soundPractical coaching strategies that reduced fear and restored controlBehaviour change and consistent practice in habituationTools that supported progress, including sound strategies and technologyThe value of community, shared experience, and feeling understoodWhat he would say to people who believe they are a lost causeHe began the journey sceptical about tinnitus coaching, unsure it could help after decades of living with the condition. Through the process, that cynicism shifted, and he learned skills that allowed tinnitus to take up far less space in his life. An honest conversation about moving from doubt to openness, long-term habituation, and learning to live well alongside tinnitus.This episode was recorded in 2024.Follow me on Instagram @tinnituswithgladys for practical tinnitus strategies.Resources:Free tinnitus masterclass⁠:www.drgladys.co.uk/learn

In this episode, I speak with Philip about his journey with tinnitus and sudden hearing loss.We cover:How his sudden hearing loss first developedHabituating to tinnitus for over a decadeWhat it was like when tinnitus returnedThe practical mindfulness tools he uses day to dayHow he regulates his nervous system and reduces fearHow these experiences led him to support others with tinnitusThis is not a story about tinnitus disappearing. Philip still lives with tinnitus. It no longer dictates his life.An honest conversation about long term habituation, recurrence, and living well alongside tinnitus.Find Philip on Instagram at @tuneouttinnitus.Follow me on Instagram @tinnituswithgladys for practical tinnitus strategies.Resources:Free tinnitus masterclasswww.drgladys.co.uk/learn