These
questions and answers are reproduced from a workshop conducted by
Dr's Pawel and Margaret Jastreboff, neuroscientists who developed
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT).
Western
Hearing Services audiologists are all trained in tinnitus assessment
and application of Tinnitus Retraining Therapy.
Our treatment
is called Tinnitus Retraining Therapy, but other names such a habituation-oriented
therapy, tinnitus treatment based on neurophysiological model, and "Dr
Jastreboffs treatment" are used as well. It involves an extensive
audiological evaluation, several counselling sessions, the use of
external sound, and frequently the use of sound devices. It does
not involve any 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 state in which you are not aware
of and/or annoyed by your tinnitus.
Are
there any side effects of treatment?
There
are no side effects.
What
kind of audiological tests are performed? Will it hurt my ears?
What if I don't have tinnitus when I am tested?
The tests
include an audiogram and several specific tests which will allow
us to evaluate whether you have tinnitus and/or hyperacusis, and
to what degree. The tests begin with low levels of sound and gradually
get louder, therefore, none of the tests will be painful. If your
tinnitus is not present on the day of the testing, it will NOT influence
the possibility of success with the treatment.
I
recently had audiological tests done. Do they have to be repeated?
We prefer
to have the tests performed in our centre. There are very specific
measurements we perform which are not routinely provided in other
clinics.
Is the counselling a form of psychotherapy
or biofeedback?
No, the
counselling will provide you with information about the causes and
factors involved in your tinnitus/hyperacusis, explain to you how
the retraining therapy works, and teach you how to control your tinnitus.
The counselling session is a fundamental part of the treatment process.
What
is the role of external sound?
External
sound from radios, TVs, stereos, etc. 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 your tinnitus.
What
are the devices and what do they look like?
The devices
used in retraining therapy are called "noise generators" or "sound
generators". Presently, we are recommending two styles. One
is a pair of small instruments that are worn behind both ears. They
look similar to the behind-the-ear hearing aids and can be worn with
glasses. The other style is worn in the ear, but not blocking the
ear canal as is the case for many hearing aids. They do not interfere
with your work or talking on the telephone.
Can
I just buy the devices?
The devices
are used to speed up the processing of retraining, but what is important
is how they are used. The manner in which the devices are used depends
on each patient's individual needs. If you just buy and wear the
devices you most probably will not achieve improvement, and in some
cases you may even hurt yourself. We will teach you how to use them
effectively.
Do
I need to have the devices?
Not everybody
needs the devices. After the medical and audiological evaluation
we will give you our recommendations and you can choose your treatment.
