Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) is based on the neurophysiological model proposed by Jastreboff. Its core principle involves:

• A Amplifying tinnitus to habituate the auditory cortex through overexposure
• B Reclassifying tinnitus as a neutral stimulus through directive counselling combined with low-level broadband sound therapy ✓
• C Surgical section of the cochlear nerve to eliminate tinnitus perception
• D Pharmacological suppression of spontaneous cochlear nerve firing with carbamazepine

Explanation

Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) is based on Jastreboff's neurophysiological model in which tinnitus persistence and distress arise from conditioned limbic and autonomic responses to the tinnitus signal. TRT uses directive counselling to demystify tinnitus (reclassifying it as a neutral stimulus) combined with continuous low-level broadband noise to reduce the contrast of the tinnitus signal, facilitating habituation. It does not aim to eliminate the sound but to eliminate its negative emotional associations.

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.