Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) is based on which neurophysiological model of tinnitus?
- A Jastreboff's neurophysiological model — tinnitus becomes distressing due to conditioned limbic and autonomic system connections, not the tinnitus signal itself ✓
- B Gate control theory — tinnitus results from unblocked pain signals in the auditory pathway
- C Central sensitization theory — the auditory cortex becomes hyperexcitable after cochlear damage
- D Somatosensory modulation theory — tinnitus arises from cervical or temporomandibular input
Correct answer: A. Jastreboff's neurophysiological model — tinnitus becomes distressing due to conditioned limbic and autonomic system connections, not the tinnitus signal itself
Explanation
TRT is based on Jastreboff's neurophysiological model, which proposes that tinnitus itself is not harmful, but the conditioned connections between the auditory system and the limbic (emotional) and autonomic nervous systems cause the psychological distress. TRT uses directive counselling (to break conditioned emotional responses) and sound therapy (broadband noise generators to reduce auditory gain and facilitate habituation). The goal is habituation — both of the reaction to tinnitus and eventually of tinnitus perception itself.
Reference: Dhingra Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.