[Tinnitus retraining therapy: a clinical control study of 117 patients]

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the clinical effects of tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) on tinnitus.

Methods: 225 tinnitus patients were divided into two groups. 117 patients in the TRT group were treated with TRT and drugs, and 108 patients in the control group were treated with only tinnitus masking and drugs. The TRT is consisted of four strategies: (1) tinnitus masking with low level and broad band noise; (2) deep relaxation of the whole body; (3) diversion of the attention to other things; and (4) psychological counseling and therapy. Drugs, such as vasodilator, neurotrophic drug, and sedative of the similar dose and duration of pharmacotherapy were administered to the 2 groups. Effect evaluation was conducted thrice 2, 6, and 12 months after the beginning of therapy to see if the tinnitus was attenuated or disappeared and if the patients' emotion, sleep, and work were disturbed by tinnitus.

Results: The relief rate was 17.09%, 82.05%, and 88.03% in the TRT group 2, 6, and 12 months after respectively; and 2.78%, 26.85%, and 41.6% in the control group 2, 6, and 12 months after respectively (chi(2) = 12.54, 69.30, and 63.64, all P < 0.01).

Conclusion: TRT is effective in treatment of tinnitus.