Tinnitus Retraining
Tinnitus is a common phenomenon that is described as a ringing, chirping, or buzzing sound that persists in one or both ears despite no external source of the sound. Although it affects about 17% of the general population and about 33% of the elderly, only 20% of all the people who experience tinnitus are bothered by it. Those who are bothered by the noise can find it extremely distressing and often debilitating. The 80% of those who are not bothered by the condition, treat tinnitus like any other sound to which they easily habituate. The important aspect is that there is no difference in the loudness, pitch, or other sound characteristics of tinnitus between those who experience tinnitus and those who suffer because of it. This observation is one of the findings responsible for the development of a new model of tinnitus, and based on the model, Tinnitus Retraining Therapy.
We offer a multifaceted approach to treating tinnitus. With input from your doctor (typically an ENT) and audiologist we evaluate the problem and develop a treatment plan to meet the individual needs of the client. This would include such interventions such as:
- Tinnitus Retraining Counseling to facilitate habituation to the sound
- Cognitive behavioral therapy to foster adaptive coping styles
- Sound generating devices to help partially mask the tinnitus
- Biofeedback and meditation to decrease distress and facilitate habituation
The goal of our treatment is to eliminate the distress of tinnitus to the point where the sound is not relevant and therefore not noticed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you treat tinnitus?
Our primary treatment is called Tinnitus Retraining Therapy, as developed by Pawel Jastreboff. It involves an initial evaluation, several counseling sessions, and the potential use of external sound. It does not involve surgery or drugs.
What does retraining therapy mean?
We try to retrain the subconscious parts of the brain to ignore the sound of your tinnitus and to achieve the stage in which you are not aware of and/or annoyed by your tinnitus.
Is the counseling a form of psychotherapy or biofeedback?
It is neither. The initial counseling will provide you with information about the causes and factors involved in your tinnitus, explain to you how the retraining therapy works, and teach you how to control your tinnitus. The counseling session is a fundamental part of the treatment process. In addition to counseling, we may later include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and biofeedback to help reduce the distress associated with tinnitus.
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
The emotions we experience are directly related to what we think is happening to us, not what is actually happening. Often the distress or emotion we experience with tinnitus is related to what we think tinnitus is doing to us or will do to us. Often these beliefs about tinnitus may be inaccurate or distorted. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy reduces distress associated with tinnitus by changing distorted beliefs that you may have associated with your condition.
What is biofeedback?
The goal of our treatment is to reduce the distress associated with tinnitus. This requires you to learn to lessen the emotional response that occurs with tinnitus. One way of lessening the distress is to learn to relax. When we are stressed or anxious our bodies tense. Biofeedback measures through sensors the muscular tension and other physiological symptoms of stress, and then provides auditory or visual feedback to the patient. With guided practice patients learn to relax with the assistance of the feedback. As the patient learns to relax distress from tinnitus is reduced.
What is the role of external sound?
External sound from recommended table top sound machines is used at a low level in order to bring the changes in your subconscious hearing system, and not to cover (mask) your tinnitus. It reduces the contrast between your tinnitus and complete silence, and slightly distracts you from the sound of vour tinnitus.
I was using maskers without effect. What is the difference between masking and these devices?
Masking is aimed at making tinnitus inaudible. When the device is removed, however, the tinnitus returns. In addition, the level of sound required to mask the tinnitus may be uncomfortable. We use the devices to generate sound, not to cover the sound of tinnitus. The goal of retraining therapy is to retrain the brain so that it eventually does not pick up the tinnitus sound, and in order to do this, the tinnitus sound cannot be covered. Generating sound that mixes with your tinnitus will help you feel more comfortable and remove the emotional response to tinnitus. At this point, tinnitus no longer bothers you, even when it is perceived.
How long does the treatment take?
The treatment can take twelve to twenty-four months. However, if you carefully follow the protocol, you should see an improvement within the first few months.
Will I be cured?
You will no longer be bothered or annoyed by your tinnitus. However, if you concentrate and want to hear your tinnitus, you will. This is why we refer to Tinnitus Retraining Therapy as a treatment, and not a cure.
What is the guarantee that I get better?
There is no guarantee, but from our experience over 80% of our patients have reported significant improvement.
How frequently do I need to return for treatment?
There is a minimum of two 50-minute follow-up sessions with the psychologist: Additional sessions may be required depending on the needs of the individual.
Are there any side effects of the treatment?
There are no side effects.
Is this treatment covered by insurance?
Insurance may cover all or part of the cost of treatment. Our office staff will work with your insurance carrier to determine coverage.
