This method was developed by Pawel J. Jastreboff in the late 80s from then known general facts about neuroplasticity of the brain. It has been used for over twenty years.
Auditory system is connected to a part of the brain that controls emotions and automatically responds to impending danger. Therefore, initial feelings of a man suffering from tinnitus are fear and anxiety, because the body subconsciously recognizes tinnitus as a looming threat. The aim of Tinnitus retraining therapy is to stop perceive ringing ears as a danger, thus achieving the brain to ignore it so the patient could calm down.
Imagine that you are in the kitchen with humming refrigerator. As you are used to the refrigerator, it's imperceptible and you only realize something when the compressor is off for a while. It's similar with tinnitus. Jastreboff's method is designed to accustom the human brain to tinnitus so that it ceased to be perceived.
It is actually a kind of sound therapy. Devices used look like hearing aids (TCI or Tinnitus Control Instrument), but they transmit white noise to the ear. This noise is the AET same or a slightly lower volume than the actual tinnitus. It is important that the noise does not completely mask tinnitus.
The method consists of four elements, including consultation, interviews with psychologists, relaxation and the use of equipment to broadcast noise TCI for at least 8 hours a day.
Therapy is long term and lasts about two years. Jastreboff's therapy also works for hyperacusis, which often accompanies tinnitus itself. Many people treated with this method say that in addition to improving life conditions even tinnitus is attenuated.
Using Tinnitus retraining therapy one gradually gets used to his tinnitus and learn to live with it until it will be treatable. So the therapy to help the patient return to a lost lease on life to make him better waiting for clinical treatment.
Lately, however, I met with the views that challenge the effectiveness of Tinnitus retraining therapy, although its effectiveness for at least hyperacusis is undeniable. However, regarding ringing in the ears, despite the fact that many patients claim that they were helped, with high probability it is a natural process of habituation to tinnitus, which would apparently took place without treatment, albeit slowly or painfully.
