Understanding Tinnitus and Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)
Understanding Tinnitus and Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) A key part of managing tinnitus effectively is changing the way it is perceived. Our goal is to help you move away from viewing tinnitus as a threat, and instead, retrain your brain to categorise it as a neutral, non-disruptive sound. During our sessions, we’ll work together to shift your perspective, answer your questions, address any concerns, and guide you through a personalised treatment plan. Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) focuses on reducing the emotional and physical distress caused by tinnitus—not necessarily eliminating the sound itself. While you may still hear it, it will no longer bother you or interfere with your daily life—much like the background hum of a fridge that you eventually stop noticing. We want to be realistic: TRT is not a promise of silence, but a path to relief. Most patients begin to notice improvements within three months, with continued progress over time. The full course of TRT typically spans 9 to 18 months, with a minimum of nine months to support long-term results and reduce the risk of symptoms returning. Once treatment is complete, there’s usually no need for ongoing intervention. However, following our recommendations and engaging with the process—including any exercises or strategies we give you—is essential for success. What is Tinnitus? Tinnitus is the perception of sound (like ringing, buzzing, or humming) without an external source. It is not a "real" sound, but the result of the brain detecting spontaneous, low-level neural activity in the auditory system. Tinnitus is common, and most people will experience it at some point. For many, it fades into the background, but for others, it becomes bothersome. Why Does Tinnitus Become a Problem? The brain has strong connections between the auditory system (hearing) and the emotional and stress centers (limbic and autonomic nervous systems). If your brain labels tinnitus as a threat or something unpleasant, it keeps paying attention to it—like an alarm you can’t turn off. This can lead to distress, anxiety, sleep issues, and a lower quality of life. 30 Flinders St, KENT TOWN admin@adelaidetinnitusclinic.com.au www.adelaidetinnitusclinic.com.au Mob: 0493 753 121 The Goal of TRT Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) aims to help your brain reclassify tinnitus as a neutral sound—something that doesn’t trigger emotional or physical stress responses. Over time, this process teaches your brain to ignore the tinnitus signal, even if it is still present. This is called habituation. Think of it like the hum of a refrigerator. Once your brain stops reacting to it, it fades into the background. What to Expect from TRT The goal is not silence but to make tinnitus no longer bothersome. Most people notice improvements within 3 months, with full therapy lasting 9 to 18 months. The first step is removing the negative emotional response to tinnitus. Consistent commitment is important—you’ll need to follow recommendations and complete suggested activities between sessions. After completing therapy, no ongoing treatment is needed, and relapse is unlikely with proper habituation. How TRT Works The level of distress tinnitus causes isn’t based on how loud it seems, but on how strongly it activates the emotional and stress-related systems of the brain—specifically, the limbic and autonomic nervous systems. We adapt this by: 1. Education and Support: We’ll help you understand how tinnitus works in the brain and address any questions or concerns you have. This reduces fear and uncertainty—important first steps. 2. Sound Therapy: Low-level background sound is used to reduce the contrast between your tinnitus and silence. This helps your brain “tune out” the tinnitus more easily. 3. Reclassification of Tinnitus: Your brain must learn to treat tinnitus as neutral—not dangerous, not annoying. This is done through repeated, calm exposure paired with neutral reactions. 4. Habituation: o Perception Habituation: Your brain stops noticing the sound. o Reaction Habituation: Your emotional and physical responses fade. 30 Flinders St, KENT TOWN admin@adelaidetinnitusclinic.com.au www.adelaidetinnitusclinic.com.au Mob: 0493 753 121 Summary While we cannot eliminate the source of tinnitus, we can change the way the brain processes and responds to it. This is the foundation of Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT). The brain is adaptable—it constantly reshapes how it processes information. With time and the right strategies, it can be trained to filter out the tinnitus signal, preventing it from activating emotional and stress responses. This all happens at a subconscious level. The first step in reducing the impact of tinnitus is to remove its negative emotional meaning. This allows the brain to begin treating it as a neutral, non threatening signal. Sound therapy plays a crucial role. By introducing soft background sound, we reduce the contrast between the tinnitus and silence. This makes it easier for the brain to tune it out. Over time, the subconscious brain is trained to stop reacting to tinnitus, which reduces the emotional and physical response. This is called habituation of reaction. As the reaction fades, the perception of tinnitus also decreases, meaning your brain stops bringing it into conscious awareness. This is habituation of perception. Sound therapy involves gently increasing background sound levels, either through environmental sounds or sound generators. These sounds may or may not be amplified, depending on your needs. The goal is not to mask the tinnitus completely. If the brain can’t detect the tinnitus, it can’t learn to ignore it. We aim to reduce contrast—not eliminate the sound. Continuous exposure to low-level sound helps to recalibrate the gain (or sensitivity) in the auditory system, which not only eases tinnitus but can also reduce sound sensitivity. Tinnitus Retraining Therapy is a gradual process, not a quick fix—but it is backed by strong neuroscience and has helped thousands of people regain peace of mind. With your commitment and our support, we’ll work together to retrain your brain and reduce the impact of tinnitus on your life.It All Begins Here
