Tinnitus can be problematic for a wide array of reasons. First, it’s an extremely subjective condition. What that means, is you can’t simply walk up and show anyone what the constant ringing sounds like, how loud it can get for you, or how bothersome the ringing may be.
Second, there is yet to be an objective way to measure tinnitus. Unfortunately you can’t, for example, drive to your nearest doctor’s office, get some tests ran, and get diagnosed with the condition.
Third, we still don’t have a clear understanding of how tinnitus works. As such, our grasp of the possible causes and treatment options remain less than ideal.
This can all be quite frustrating, of course, but those affected should not feel hopeless. As a matter of fact, despite the many possible frustrations, a large amount of people go on to show noticeable improvements with their symptoms when given the right treatment plan.
Throughout this article, we’ll be going in-depth about one treatment option in particular, known as Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT). This treatment method has proven to be quite effective, however to understand how it works, we will first need to go over the two parts of tinnitus.
The Two Parts of Tinnitus
Tinnitus can be defined as the perception of sound when there is no external sound source present. As such, we can break tinnitus down into two parts:
- The actual sound – usually perceived as a ringing sound, but can also be perceived as a buzzing, hissing, whistling, swooshing, or clicking sound.
- The emotional reaction – the perception of the loudness and character of the sound and its disruption to everyday life.
The most effective treatment of tinnitus, therefore, would require addressing both parts. This is essentially the underlying rationale of Tinnitus Retraining Therapy.
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy
Let’s break TRT down into two parts, the first part addressing the actual sound tinnitus produces and the other part dealing with the emotional and behavioral repercussions.
Sound Therapy
Sound therapy is the use of external sound to “mask” the internal sound of tinnitus. This mitigates tinnitus on a number of levels.
First, the external sound can partially or completely cover the tinnitus sounds, and can also divert the patient’s attention, while the sound is being played. This can provide immediate relief.
Second, sound therapy can result in what is called “habituation,” where the brain is trained over time to reclassify the tinnitus as an unimportant sound that should be ignored.
Third, the use of specialized sound minimizes the hyperactivity in the brain thought to be the underlying mechanism of tinnitus. This is called “neuromodulation.”
Sound therapy therefore has both short-term and long-term benefits, and works on multiple levels to mitigate the severity of symptoms. Sound therapy can be delivered through special sound masking devices, headphones, and even hearing aids.
While any sound can theoretically provide the masking effect, specialized medical-grade devices deliver customized sounds or music programmed to match the characteristics of the patient’s tinnitus. Your hearing care professional can help you select the right device and sound.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
In addition to sound therapy, TRT also employs behavioral therapies that address the second, emotional component of tinnitus. In ways, this is the more critical component, as tinnitus can trigger strong emotional reactions like anxiety, depression, and anger.
Research in this area has led to some surprising conclusions. For example, studies have found no correlation between the loudness/pitch of tinnitus and patient-reported distress. Whether or not tinnitus is viewed as no-big-deal, slightly bothersome, or devastating is largely dependent on the cognitive/behavioral response of the patient.
Behavioral therapy can be delivered one-on-one or in groups, from a clinic or over the phone or internet from the patient’s home. Therapy includes education, identifying tinnitus triggers, instituting healthy lifestyle choices to mitigate symptoms, and mindfulness-based stress reduction.
Take Action and Silence Your Tinnitus
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy is effective because it leads to habituation on both fronts, both in terms of the actual sound and in terms of the emotional and behavioral responses.
While there is no known cure for tinnitus, you can mitigate the symptoms with the right plan and some perseverance. As your tinnitus is masked and the brain is trained to ignore it, you’ll be able to better cope with the sounds and improve your quality of life.