Most cases of chronic tinnitus cannot be cured. Unfortunately, this fact prompts too many clinicians to tell patients that nothing can be done for tinnitus. This statement and “you will just have to learn to live with it” is both erroneous and often counterproductive for those truly suffering. Most patients can still obtain significant relief from the magnitude and presence of symptoms with specific therapeutic interventions. Dr. Robert Folmer of the OHSU tinnitus Clinic in Portland said, “An effective tinnitus rehabilitation program can help patients to understand and gain control over their tinnitus, rather than allowing tinnitus to control them.”
This is where a tinnitus rehabilitation audiologist can help. Dr. James Henry of the VA Medical Center in Portland recommends clinical management using “well-established procedures that are widely available and fairly uniform across clinics.” This means treatment based on proven research. According to Yong-bing Baker Shi, M.D., Ph.D., Medical Director of the OSHU Tinnitus Clinic in Portland “that means where the chance of success (by treatment) is better than the placebo effect.” Dr. R. Dobie commented, “There are myriad treatment options, although most do not have an evidence basis.”
Professional tinnitus rehabilitation management is available for those who truly want help using proven clinical methods.
So, what are the proven tinnitus rehabilitation strategies?
Acoustic Therapies – Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT), Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment and masking by hearing aid use.
Counseling and education – TRT counseling, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (MBSR), psychotherapy, sleep hygiene counseling.
Lifestyle Management – Can include alterations in diet, medications, leisure and work activities, modification of daily behavioral patterns, modifying the acoustic environment of home or work, use of stress reduction methods such as meditation, yoga, Tai-Chi, Qui-Gong exercises and sleep hygiene.
Medications – Use of appropriate sleep aids and medications to reduce anxiety, depression or other biochemical-based emotional problems, identifying, reducing or eliminating drug induced tinnitus reactions.
Medical intervention – If there is a chance that the cause of tinnitus can be treated medically, this approach should be explored thoroughly.
A good tinnitus rehabilitation plan identifies all areas requiring attention. A Tinnitus Rehabilitation Audiologist guides the patient towards appropriate intervention, referral and coordination of care while providing acoustic therapies and counseling as needed in a structured treatment program.
For more information on tinnitus assessment or treatment, contact Randall Bartlett, M.A., Audiologist or Cydney Fox, Au.D. Audiologist of the Tinnitus and Audiology Center of Southern California, Inc. at 661-259-1880 or visit www.hearwell.net .