Habituation Therapy of Chronic Distressing Tinnitus: a Presentation of a Treatment Programme and an Evaluation Study of its Effects

Abstract

During the last 15 years, tinnitus suffering has been an increasing reason for patients to seek medical and audiological advice in Norway. In 1998-1999 we introduced Tinnitus Habituation Therapy (THT) to nearly 200 tinnitus sufferers. This paper presents the programme and the evaluation of the effects it had on the patients. Two treatment groups were presented and pre- and post-treatment analysis was used. Immediately after the treatment, 59% reported less annoyance and 72% reported increased ability to cope with tinnitus. A follow-up assessment 12 months after the end of treatment, involving 164 patients who completed the survey, indicates that these effects are maintained, and a considerable number even continued to improve.

• Habituation
• Multidisciplinary Team
• Neurophysiological Based Management
• Tinnitus
• Tinnitus-related Activity In The Nervous System (TRA)
• White Noise Generator