A guide to Tinnitus Retraining Therapy
Tinnitus, a persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears, can be a distressing and disruptive condition for those who suffer from it. It can be particularly difficult when it affects a person's daily life, causing difficulty with sleeping, concentration, and overall quality of life. Fortunately, there are various treatments available, including Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT), which can help manage the symptoms and provide long-term relief.
The two elements of TRT
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy is a two-part program that combines sound therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). The aim of TRT is to help patients habituate to the tinnitus sounds and reduce their emotional reactions to the condition. This is achieved by exposing an individual to therapeutic sounds and providing them with guidance on how to cope with their tinnitus.
TRT is recommended for those who have been suffering from tinnitus for a significant amount of time, regardless of the cause, and have tried other treatments with limited success. This type of therapy is particularly effective for those who have developed a strong emotional reaction to their tinnitus and struggle to cope with it on a daily basis.
A successful TRT outcome is when a patient is able to habituate to their tinnitus and reduce their emotional reactions to it. This typically results in improved sleep, concentration, and overall quality of life and less awareness of the tinnitus itself.
The two main components of TRT are sound therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy.
Sound therapy involves exposing the patient to therapeutic sounds, such as white noise, nature sounds or gentle background music. This helps to retrain the brain to desensitise itself away from the tinnitus and reduce the emotional reaction to them.
Cognitive behavioural therapy involves providing the patient with guidance on how to cope with their tinnitus, such as relaxation techniques and stress management. The aim of this therapy is to help the patient develop a neutral and sometimes positive attitude towards their tinnitus, which can reduce their emotional reactions to it.
Does it work?
TRT typically involves regular appointments with an Audiologist over a period of several months. During these appointments, the Audiologist will monitor the patient's progress and adjust the sound therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy as necessary.
TRT has been shown to be effective for many tinnitus sufferers and has numerous benefits, including:
Reduced emotional reactions to tinnitus
Improved sleep, concentration and overall quality of life
Reduced or eliminated tinnitus in some cases
A positive approach to managing tinnitus
To summarise, Tinnitus Retraining Therapy is a comprehensive two-part program that combines sound therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy. It is recommended for those who have been suffering from tinnitus for a significant amount of time and have tried other treatments with limited success. TRT can help patients habituate to the tinnitus sounds, reduce their emotional reactions to the tinnitus and desensitise the hearing system.
TRT is a long-term solution for tinnitus and requires patience and commitment from the patient. However, with the right support, many patients are able to successfully manage their tinnitus and achieve a better quality of life.
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