Trials of a protocol to support LFN sufferers in the UK
Regular paper
University of Salford
Wednesday 3 june, 2015, 14:20 - 14:40
0.9 Athens (118)
Abstract:
The paper reports experience from a research project funded by Defra (Department
of Environment Food Rural Affairs) in which a network of support centres for LFN
sufferers was set up throughout the UK on a trial basis. During the trials a
treatment protocol was developed aimed at reducing agitation caused by the
perceived LFN and encouraging habituation to it. This form of treatment was based
on an understanding of the reaction to troublesome sounds which is now widely
applied in the treatment of tinnitus and hyperacusis. In effect, the basis is a
model of the perception of, and reaction to, unwanted sounds. The hypothesis
adopted in the trial was that a similar model can be applied to the distress
caused by perceived LFN, particularly in cases where no external source can be
identified. In the paper, after a brief description of the trial, the proposed
model of perception and reaction is presented together with the resulting
treatment protocol. The success of the model is discussed in the light of the
results of the trial.