Curriculum & Certification
CBT-Hear offers a structured, competency-based pathway for clinicians to develop expertise in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for tinnitus, hyperacusis, and misophonia.
Training is delivered by Hashir International Institute in collaboration with international partners and is underpinned by evidence-based methods, structured supervision, and a clearly defined scope of practice.
From Stage 2 onwards, clinicians must maintain CBT-Hear registration and commit to a minimum of 90 minutes of clinical supervision per calendar month. This requirement supports ethical practice, patient safety, and reflective learning. Stage 1 participants may join the CBT-Hear Register at no cost by agreeing to the Code of Ethics, but monthly supervision and full registration only apply once clinicians begin practising CBT-Hear interventions.
Prerequisite: Applicants must hold a degree at BSc, MSc, or doctorate level, or possess qualifications of an equivalent professional standard in a relevant discipline. No prior experience in tinnitus, hyperacusis, or misophonia management is required. The course is designed to accommodate both newcomers to the field and experienced clinicians seeking a structured CBT-informed approach. Suitable applicants typically come from backgrounds such as audiology, hearing therapy, hearing aid dispensing, psychology, psychiatry, otology, neurology, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, nursing, teaching of the deaf, social work, general medicine, or other health and social care professions of an equivalent standard.
Stage 1 – CBT-Hear Certified
CBT for hearing disorders: Foundations
You can complete Stage 1 in-person.
CBT-Hear Certified – 3-Day In-Person Masterclass
Total CPD: 18 hours | Format: Face-to-face (Flanders)
Delivery: Jointly taught by ON-GEHOORD Faculty & Hashir International Institute
Prerequisite: BSc/MSc/Doctorate (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline. No prior tinnitus/hyperacusis/misophonia experience required.
CPD Structure
Structured Teaching: Modules 1–5 (Masterclass): 18 hrs
Clinical Requirement: None
Modules
- Patient Education & Counselling in Auditory Disorders
- Somatic & Holistic Interventions
- Introduction to CBT for Tinnitus/Hyperacusis/Misophonia
- Psycho-Audiological Assessment
- Practical Concepts of CBT for Tinnitus, Hyperacusis and Misophonia
✅ Stage 1 Outcome: CBT-Hear Certified
➡️ Progression Pathway: Recommended but not required for Stage 2
Scope of Practice
✅ Can Do
- Provide supportive, evidence-based education on tinnitus, hyperacusis, and misophonia, helping patients understand sound management, appropriate hearing protection, and realistic pathways to recovery and adjustment.
- Carry out structured psycho-audiological assessments, interpret screening results, provide education on tinnitus and sound intolerance management based on CBT, and prepare evidence-based reports
- Recognise the need for further medical, audiological and psychological investigations and refer cases appropriately to ENT, audiology, or psychology.
- Contribute effectively within a multidisciplinary team by understanding when osteopathy, physiotherapy, breathwork, relaxation, or mindfulness strategies may be beneficial, and by supporting patients in accessing these approaches where appropriate.
❌ Cannot Do
- Deliver structured CBT-Hear rehabilitation for tinnitus and sound intolerance.
- Perform CBT or other psychological therapies (unless otherwise qualified).
Stage 2 – CBT-Hear Certified Practitioner
Practitioner-level CBT delivery
Total CPD: 135 hours | Format: Online self-paced
Prerequisite: Stage 1 certification
CPD Structure
- Structured Learning & Practical Training – 41 hours
- Directed Self-Study – 82 hours
- Self-Directed Study – 12 hours
Clinical Requirement (27 hours of supervised clinical practice)
- Deliver CBT-Hear to 3 patients experiencing tinnitus or sound intolerance-related distress without psychological comorbidity (≥6 sessions each, 90 mins)
- 18 hrs supervision
Modules
- Introduction to Tinnitus & Related Factors
- Introduction to Hyperacusis & Misophonia
- Introduction to CBT for Tinnitus/Hyperacusis/Misophonia
- Psycho-Audiological Assessment
- CBT Session 1: Assessment & Formulation
- CBT Session 2: Behavioural Experiments
- CBT Session 3: Challenging Thoughts
- CBT Session 4: Hot Thoughts & Core Beliefs
- CBT Session 5: Rules of Life & Skills Integration
- CBT Session 6: Ending Treatment & Maintenance
- CBT for Children
- Service Development
- Introduction to Internet-Based CBT (Optional)
✅ Stage 2 Outcome: CBT-Hear Certified Practitioner
➡️ Progression Pathway: Required for Stage 3
Scope of Practice
✅ Can Do
- Demonstrate all Stage 1 capabilities fluently in a clinical context with supervision
- Distinguish distress directly linked to tinnitus/sound-related conditions from distress due to psychological, medical, or social factors.
- Deliver structured CBT-Hear rehabilitation for tinnitus, hyperacusis, and misophonia-related distress in patients without psychiatric comorbidities.
❌ Cannot Do
- Deliver CBT-Hear to patients with psychiatric comorbidities unless under appropriate multidisciplinary supervision.
- Provide CBT for issues unrelated to tinnitus, hyperacusis, or misophonia (unless otherwise qualified).
- Practise independently without regular clinical supervision (as defined by CBT-Hear registration requirements).
Stage 3 – CBT-Hear Certified Advanced Clinician
Advanced-level CBT for complex cases
Total CPD: 66 hours | Format: Online self-paced
Prerequisite: Stage 2 certification
CPD Structure
- Structured Learning & Practical Training – 18 hours
- Directed Self-Study – 36 hours
- Self-Directed Study – 12 hours
Clinical Requirement (27 hours of supervised clinical practice)
- Deliver CBT-Hear to 3 patients experiencing tinnitus or sound intolerance-related distress with psychological comorbidity (≥6 sessions each, 90 mins)
- 18 hrs supervision
✅ Stage 3 Outcome: CBT-Hear Certified Advanced Clinician
➡️ Progression Pathway: Required for Supervisor & Fellowship levels
Scope of Practice
✅ Can Do
- Demonstrate all Stage 1 and Stage 2 capabilities.
- Deliver and adapt the full CBT-Hear protocol for patients with tinnitus- and sound intolerance-related distress, including those with co-existing psychological conditions, by differentiating primary auditory distress from underlying mental health conditions — applying CBT-Hear to the former and facilitating psychiatric or psychological interventions within a multidisciplinary team for the latter.
- Collaborate with mental health professionals to support integrated care, contribute to treatment planning, and educate colleagues on the interaction between psychiatric conditions and auditory distress.
❌ Cannot Do
- Deliver CBT-Hear as a replacement for formal psychological therapy in patients with primary psychiatric disorders (collaborative care is essential).
- Provide CBT for issues unrelated to tinnitus, hyperacusis, or misophonia (unless otherwise qualified).
- Practise independently without regular clinical supervision (as defined by CBT-Hear registration requirements).
Supervisor & Fellowship Levels
CBT-Hear Certified Supervisor
For Advanced Clinicians who complete an approved external supervision course and have ≥1-year post-certification experience.
CBT-Hear Clinical Fellow
Advanced Clinicians who have treated ≥10 patients and made one significant contribution (e.g. audit, service redesign).
CBT-Hear Faculty Fellow
Supervisors with ≥1 year experience, ≥10 therapists supervised, and two significant contributions to the field.
CBT-Hear Honorary Fellow
Awarded by nomination to individuals who have made exceptional non-clinical contributions to the field.
Registration Requirement for All Levels
Stage 1
- Participants may join the CBT-Hear Register at no cost by agreeing to the Code of Ethics.
- Supervision and paid registration are not required at this stage, as it does not qualify clinicians to deliver full CBT-Hear interventions.
- Optional supervision is available for those who wish to enhance reflective learning.
Practitioner Level (Stage 2) and Above
- Clinicians must hold current CBT-Hear registration (annual fee applies).
- Complete a minimum of 90 minutes of clinical supervision per month (included in the annual registration fee).
- Adhere to CBT-Hear clinical and ethical standards.