Long-Term Results of Tinnitus Retraining Therapy in Patients Who Failed to Complete the Program

Abstract

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the results of Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) in patients who did not complete the program. Methods: We divided 90 patients who failed to complete the TRT program were into 3 groups: 36 patients who only completed the first phase of the TRT program (Missing group; M), 34 patients who attended counselling for less than 6 months (Noncompliant group; NC) and 20 patients who attended counselling for more than 6 months but did not complete the TRT program (Compliant group; C). The Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), tinnitus Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) and a questionnaire regarding the reasons for dropout were obtained through a telephone survey. Results: Telephonic THI and VAS scores were significantly lower than the initial scores in the M and C groups but not in the NC group. Patients who were unsure about the effectiveness of TRT were prevalent in the NC group, and the poorest long-term THI results were registered in those patients. Conclusions: A fundamental cause of very poor TRT results was when patients were unsure about TRT. On the other hand, a single counselling session could be effective in reducing tinnitus annoyance in patients who accepted the TRT approach and trusted its efficacy.

Initial Response to Combination Therapies for Tinnitus: Lessons Learned From a Retrospective Analysis

“…The habituation of tinnitus can alter the connections between the auditory, limbic, and autonomic nervous systems. To maximize the treatment effect of TRT, it is crucial to instill confidence and belief in the effectiveness of TRT in patients, and even a single counseling session can be effective for those who believe in the treatment's efficacy (10). Therefore, clinicians should make maximal efforts to address patients' curiosity and problems about tinnitus through the application of separate counseling session.…”