Tinnitus Retraining Therapy
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) is a process of learning to cope with your tinnitus on a conscious and subconscious level. This technique has helped a lot of people.
This therapy can be compared to the sound of raindrops falling on a roof being noticed when it first starts raining, but going unnoticed and put out of mind after some time.
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy requires close co-operation with hearing professionals. The therapy is employed at the perceived source of the tinnitus and aims to teach the brain to ignore it.
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy combines three significant therapeutic steps:
1. Extensive collection of information about the patient, including patient history and daily living habits.
2. Use of devices worn behind the ear and generating broad-band noise to divert attention of the patient away from the tinnitus.
3. Psychological therapy teaching the patient to ignore the tinnitus noise. This is combined with deep relaxation exercises and stress management. The object is the elimination of the patient's anxiety, so that the tinnitus is no longer perceived as a danger, thus diverting the concentration away from the tinnitus noise.
The end goal is complete habituation of the noise.
The duration of the treatment varies depending on the treatment facility involved.
Tinnitus masker
A tinnitus Masker is an electronic hearing aid device that generates and emits broad-band or narrow-band noise at low levels, designed to mask the presence of tinnitus.
Such masking noise is also referred to as white noise. For an individual suffering from both hearing loss and tinnitus, the masker and the hearing aid can operate together as one instrument.
Tinnitus hearing aids
If you have a hearing loss with tinnitus, a hearing aid may help you, according to hearing specialists. Hearing aids may reduce the stress of bad hearing and offer sound therapy.
Prepare for your Hearing Test
1. Bring a family member or friend to accompany you if possible, for support and also to be part of the discussion.
2. Know your medical history. Any previous hearing loss, injury or medication that might contribute to hearing issues.
3. Think about where and when it becomes difficult to hear.
4. Share your concerns with our Audiologist.