Implementation of Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) Program Within a University Audiology Clinic
Location
CSU Ballroom
Start Date
9-4-2012 1:00 PM
End Date
9-4-2012 2:30 PM
Student's Major
Speech, Hearing, and Rehabilitation Services
Student's College
Allied Health and Nursing
Mentor's Name
Renee Shellum
Mentor's Department
Speech, Hearing, and Rehabilitation Services
Mentor's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Description
Tinnitus is defined as a subjective sensation of noise within the human ear. Approximately 50 million Americans, 15% of the population, experience tinnitus to the extent that it significantly affects their daily lives, interfering with sleep, concentration, work and social interaction. It is estimated that about 5% of the general population (about 13 million Americans), suffer from moderate to severe prolonged spontaneous tinnitus.
The purpose of this study is to organize and develop a Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) protocol for use within a University clinical setting. TRT consists of informational therapy and a habituation process that incorporates auditory therapy and directive counseling to initiate and facilitate habituation of the perception of the tinnitus. Auditory therapy consists of wearing devices much like hearing aids and that emit a soft broadband noise; this sound is meant to distract the brain and “mask” out the perception of the tinnitus. Extensive counseling and education are integral to the therapy, with the goal of retraining the brain to de-emphasize the importance of the tinnitus. The direct outcome of this research is to structure a TRT therapy program for use within a University Audiology Clinic site.
Education on TRT was gained throughout conference seminars, as well as Tinnitus Practitioner’s Association (TPA) certification by Principal Investigator in December of 2011. Instructional presentation slides, as well as, all necessary patient forms were obtained through TPA certification. All material was re-addressed and organized into areas of tinnitus assessment and management. TRT protocol is arranged for implementation subsequently following concluding research.
Implementation of Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) Program Within a University Audiology Clinic
CSU Ballroom
Tinnitus is defined as a subjective sensation of noise within the human ear. Approximately 50 million Americans, 15% of the population, experience tinnitus to the extent that it significantly affects their daily lives, interfering with sleep, concentration, work and social interaction. It is estimated that about 5% of the general population (about 13 million Americans), suffer from moderate to severe prolonged spontaneous tinnitus.
The purpose of this study is to organize and develop a Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) protocol for use within a University clinical setting. TRT consists of informational therapy and a habituation process that incorporates auditory therapy and directive counseling to initiate and facilitate habituation of the perception of the tinnitus. Auditory therapy consists of wearing devices much like hearing aids and that emit a soft broadband noise; this sound is meant to distract the brain and “mask” out the perception of the tinnitus. Extensive counseling and education are integral to the therapy, with the goal of retraining the brain to de-emphasize the importance of the tinnitus. The direct outcome of this research is to structure a TRT therapy program for use within a University Audiology Clinic site.
Education on TRT was gained throughout conference seminars, as well as Tinnitus Practitioner’s Association (TPA) certification by Principal Investigator in December of 2011. Instructional presentation slides, as well as, all necessary patient forms were obtained through TPA certification. All material was re-addressed and organized into areas of tinnitus assessment and management. TRT protocol is arranged for implementation subsequently following concluding research.
Recommended Citation
Brink, Tara. "Implementation of Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) Program Within a University Audiology Clinic." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 9, 2012.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2012/poster-session-B/4
