Tinnitus and Hyperacusis: Something Can Be Done!

Tinnitus

Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) is a common phenomenon affecting nearly 50 million Americans. It has been described as a phantom auditory perception (Jastreboff 1990) and its causes are many. Tinnitus can vary in quality and loudness and its impact on those experiencing it can range from a mild nuisance to great distress. Many of these individuals are told by medical professionals to “live with it” or “nothing can be done”. While there is currently no “cure” for tinnitus there is a way to properly manage tinnitus to minimize the impact on one’s life.

Hyperacusis

Hyperacusis is the decreased tolerance of sound and commonly occurs with tinnitus. It can also exist without any ringing in the ears. For those with hyperacusis seemingly ordinary sounds can be perceived as intolerable or too loud to handle for even short periods of time. This is a problem that can lead many into isolation and prevent them from enjoying activities due to the inability to cope with sound.

Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)

Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) was developed by Dr. Pawel Jastreboff and employs a neurophysiologic approach for treatment. This method uses a combination of low level, broad-band noise and counseling to achieve the habituation of tinnitus so the patient is no longer aware of their tinnitus, except when they focus their attention on it, and even then tinnitus is not annoying or bothersome. TRT is a form of treatment that can be implemented regardless of the cause of your tinnitus. TRT can also restore one’s ability to tolerate sound and reduce the effects of hyperacusis.

Dr. Ryan Baker, Au.D, of Audiology by Accent has been trained in TRT by Pawel and Margaret Jastreboff and offers personalized treatment plans and counseling for those suffering from tinnitus.

Links:

• http://www.tinnitus-pjj.com/