Tinnitus that has been medically established and diagnosed as a prelude to hearing loss will require the sufferer to take in magnesium, zinc, B12 and antioxidant supplements to strengthen his blood cells, auditory nerve muscles and tissues, including those cochlear hairs.

This means the tinnitus sufferer doesn’t have to give up but can still find remedies for tinnitus that can possibly reverse the damages slowly taking place. In the meantime, he can undergo a tinnitus retraining therapy or TRT to help him manage the intrusive sounds and lessen their negative effects on his temperament.

The Concept and Objectives of TRT

The tinnitus retraining therapy is a form of clinical treatment where the sufferer‘s mindset will be trained to divert attention away from the intrusive tinnitus sounds. This is based on the premise that most actions of the human body are habits formed by perception.

The basic concept is to eliminate the negative perceptions about tinnitus in the mind of the sufferer by helping him understand the root causes. In going through these counseling sessions, the tinnitus sufferer will learn to be more relaxed and less stressed about his present condition.

The objectives of TRT are to lessen his fear of the unknown, orient him about the possibilities of recovery and inform him of the remedies available in case hearing loss becomes inevitable.

The therapist will work this out by putting the patient under counseling and sound therapy which aim to re-direct his attention to other sounds instead of focusing on the ringing, buzzing or hissing he hears from within.

Proponents of the tinnitus retraining therapy based their concepts on the brain’s ability to learn and relearn as well as ignore what the mind believes to be irrelevant.

Outline of the Tinnitus Retraining Therapy

The Initial Session

a. This involves taking into account the patient’s historical facts and the possible causes that led to his tinnitus as well as determining the extent of his hearing impairment including his ability to tolerate the intrusive sounds.

b. Evaluation of the tinnitus sufferer’s medical records to ascertain that the occurrence of tinnitus is not in anyway related to an undetected medical disorder like hypertension, anemia or Mernier’s disease or injury caused by any foreign objects that may be blocking the patient’s ear canals. In relation to this, the appropriateness of the tinnitus retraining therapy will be assessed if it is indeed the proper treatment.

Fitting the Tinnitus Masker

Fitting the patient with a tinnitus masker and letting the patient choose the type of device for his “white noise” sound as part of the tinnitus retraining therapy. The patient has the option to choose the tinnitus masker in the form of a hearing-aid or earphone-like device or as a desktop device. In addition, the type of sound will be coordinated with the patient since it will be based on his preference.

Post-treatment Analysis of the TRT

An evaluation of the effects of the tinnitus retraining therapy will be conducted to determine the patient’s progress in his ability to divert his attention away from the sound with or with out the use of a tinnitus masker.

An important aspect of the tinnitus retraining therapy is the elimination of stress on the part of the patient. This is basically due to the fact that stress is another contributing factor that leads to the occurrence of tinnitus sound.

During the session, any negativity in relation to tinnitus conditions will be replaced with the prospects of possible recovery or manageability of the tinnitus syndrome.