What's the benefit of using the TFI during CBT4T?
We feel more in control when we respond to something rather than react to it. CBT4T provides the process for you to effect change from being a reactor to being a responder.
Look at what happens with the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) through CBT4T
- From REACTOR > RESPONDER > THE NEW NORMAL WITHOUT THINKING TO DO IT
CBT4T Stages 1-4
An initial TFI is completed as you begin CBT4T (alongside measures for anxiety and stress). After completing CBT4T Stages 1-3 during which you've learned how to have significantly improved control of your own physiology (and equally why doing so is important), the TFI and the ASQ are repeated at the end of Stage 4, and Stage 4 results are compared with the initial TFI and ASQ. A significant difference is already to be expected.
CBT4T Stages 4-8
Having completed Stages 4-6, you've improved control of your physiology even further, and begun to replace reaction with response. On completing Stage 6, the TFI and all measures you completed initially are repeated, and results compared. The progress achieved by the end of Stage 4 is not only sustained but improved upon further. TFI and all measures are repeated again during Stage 7 comprising 4 modules around Meaning & Beliefs, as you strengthen your response over reaction. It is recommended there should be a minimum of four weeks between completing the full set of measures.
There is a final repeat of all measures in Stage 8 Consolidation & Completion. By now, you easily recognise reaction, you halt it before it has any impact. For the most part, you have replaced reaction with response, that even now is embedding and will continue to embed as the new normal without having to think about doing it.
The TFI quantitative changes are also reflected in qualitative changes documented in feedback and reviews
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A Guide to the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) and the CBT4T programme
The Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) is an indicator whether CBT4T would benefit someone or not. The TFI is a validated measure indicating how much of a problem tinnitus causes a person. Your TFI lets you know which one of 5 categories your experience of tinnitus falls in to:
- Not a problem (0-17%)
- A small problem (18-31%)
- A moderate problem (32-53%)
- A big problem (54-72%)
- A very big problem (73-100%)
TFI categories 1 and 2
Where your TFI indicates category 1 or 2, CBT is not what is required. You would not be accepted on the CBT4T programme. You'd likely start thinking more than you do now about tinnitus and could find yourself with a higher TFI category than it was to start with.
TFI category 3
Each TFI category is a range of percentage scores; category 3 ranges from 32-53%.
- A TFI score of 32-40% indicates a definite lack of suitability for the CBT4T programme. A basic and broadly CBT-inspired app might be helpful used for a very limited period of time (no longer than 4-6 weeks), as would using regular, consistent breath work and relaxation
- A TFI score of 40-45% is borderline suitable for the CBT4T programme. Additional measures for stress, anxiety and stress/anxiety symptoms clarify whether the CBT4T programme would be of benefit
- A TFI score over 45% indicates suitability for the CBT4T programme
TFI categories 4 and 5
- CBT4T was originally developed specifically for people whose TFI came in these two top categories
- The majority (90%+) of those ALSO have moderate-high scoring anxiety and/or stress
- Some people report having had anxiety and/or stress long before tinnitus-onset or just prior to tinnitus-onset; whereas others report anxiety and/or stress only since tinnitus-onset, and some report that their anxiety and/or stress is solely due to tinnitus
- What is never seen is a category 4 or 5 TFI co-existing with no anxiety or stress, be it correlation or cause