CBT for Tinnitus

Tinnitus: What is it?

Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of an external source. It is often described as a ringing, buzzing, hissing, or whistling sound in the ears, although people may also experience other types of sounds such as clicking, humming, or roaring. Tinnitus can be temporary or chronic and can affect one or both ears.

It can be caused by a variety of factors, including exposure to loud noises, ear infections, head and neck injuries, certain medications, and underlying medical conditions such as hearing loss, high blood pressure, and anxiety. Tinnitus can be distressing and disruptive to daily life, and there are various treatment options available depending on the underlying cause and severity of the symptoms.

When there is no external source of sound, tinnitus patients experience an internal sound in their ears, such as a buzzing or ringing. Up to 43.2% of people with tinnitus have hearing loss, however in the vast majority of cases, the etiology of the condition is unknown. Between 9% and 40% of people will experience the symptoms of tinnitus at some point in their lives.

Considering the prevalence of this condition, it is believed that 5% to 20% of people with tinnitus have a considerable impairment in their daily lives. Furthermore, studies have linked tinnitus to a range of mental health issues, such as anxiety, insomnia issues, depression, irritability, excessive worrying, and subjective distress.

Even if tinnitus is not interfering with their regular functioning, people with tinnitus may have these psychological issues.

Is there a cure or therapy for tinnitus?

Although there is no recognized treatment for persistent tinnitus, the condition can be controlled with a number of therapies. Tinnitus has been treated using a combination of audiologist treatment, pharmacological therapies such medications, and psychosocial interventions.

An efficient and scientifically supported method for assisting people to manage the auditory and psychological symptoms of tinnitus, including annoyance and distress, is termed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), CBT for Tinnitus. For some of the mental health issues, such as anxiety, sadness, and insomnia that may co-occur with tinnitus, CBT is an evidence-based treatment option.

CBT

A form of psychotherapy known as cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, incorporates strategies and interventions from both behavioral and cognitive therapies. CBT, which has been thoroughly established in studies to address a variety of mental health difficulties, is regarded as having its origins with Dr. Albert Ellis. The fundamental tenet of CBT is that ideas, feelings, and behaviors are mutually reliant on one another.

When an external event (such as an interpersonal interaction) or interior event (such as a thought or mood) occurs, it is our own interpretation of the experience that leads to our response. According to cognitive behavioral theory, people could have false beliefs that can result in uncomfortable behavior patterns.

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These false belief structures can provide unfavorable perspectives on oneself, one’s future, and one’s environment. In CBT, a client works with a therapist to develop coping mechanisms to help them deal with upsetting ideas, emotions, sensations, and cravings.

Also, CBT aids people in understanding their own thought patterns and unhealthy belief systems so they can react to challenges in life more effectively. As a result, psychological anguish and self-defeating behavior patterns are lessened. In other words, CBT encourages people to examine their thinking and put new knowledge to use in order to promote healthy emotional and behavioral change.

CBT is often a brief type of psychotherapy. Along with their therapist, patients develop goals for their treatment, which is problem- and present-oriented. Treatment is extremely customized, thus the therapist’s methods and the focus of the process will depend on the client’s particular difficulties. A typical part of CBT is homework, which is used to provide clients a chance to practice new skills in between sessions.

Is CBT one of the most successful tinnitus treatments?

Many controlled trials have supported CBT’s efficacy as a tinnitus treatment, according to the research. CBT has been demonstrated to lessen the irritation and distress that tinnitus can cause, despite the fact that it does not reduce the volume of noise caused by the condition.

Also, one study showed that people who got CBT for tinnitus continued to enjoy an increase in tinnitus tolerance and a decrease in irritation from symptoms after therapy. Another study discovered that CBT therapy tailored specifically for tinnitus sufferers can be a successful kind of therapy for those with chronic tinnitus.

According to the available evidence, therapist-delivered CBT was discovered to be an effective treatment in a broad review of trials that collectively examined tinnitus management options.

How long does CBT last to treat tinnitus?

Depending on the client’s symptoms, a client receiving CBT for tinnitus will receive a different course of treatment. CBT treatment is often short-term. According to one study, CBT therapy can be beneficial in as few as 6–10 sessions. Treatment could take longer if tinnitus co-occurs with a mental health issue such anxiety, depression, or sleeplessness.

In this situation, CBT for Tinnitus would concentrate on the tinnitus as well as the other symptoms. Study suggests that benefits made after CBT treatment for tinnitus remain after treatment ends. The right length of treatment will be decided by therapists and clients together. The therapist will also continuously assess the client’s symptoms in order to modify the course of treatment as necessary.

How can I locate a CBT practitioner?

Even though it can be difficult to know where to start, choosing the right website can be helpful. Schools, primary care doctors, and focused online searches can all refer patients to CBT therapists. If after speaking with a therapist you decide they are not a good fit, they might be able to give you a list of other recommendations.

The success of therapy depends on the client and therapist being a good match, and many therapists will provide a free consultation to determine whether they are a suitable fit for the kind of help you require.

There are a number of CBT therapists for CBT for Tinnitus at Inquiry Talk that have received training in the technique and who will collaborate with you to perform an evaluation to better understand your experiences and create a plan to support your goals.

Which CBT therapies are utilised?

Tinnitus has been successfully treated with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), an evidence-based approach, in a variety of situations. Each patient receives individualized care from their therapist, who chooses strategies that focus on particular symptoms and skill sets. There are several methods to include the technique of mindfulness into sessions. Just allowing oneself to observe the current moment without passing judgment is the aim of mindfulness.

Clients are taught to interact with their thoughts and emotions with curiosity, which offers space for confronting problems with a meaningful reaction. Cognitive restructuring is a different method that might be used. With the aid of this technique, the therapist helps the client recognize unhelpful thought patterns.

Clients gain the ability to become more conscious of their own thoughts, assess them, and replace them with more adaptive ones.

Occasionally, this approach include keeping an organized log of circumstances and triggers, thoughts, and responses. Each therapist will use homework assignments so that the concepts covered in sessions can be used outside of the therapeutic setting. In order to gauge progress and share information about any necessary modifications to the course of therapy, homework will be reviewed in class. Clients learn how to use the knowledge they have learned in therapy to make changes that last after their treatment by completing homework assignments.

Here are few certified therapists who you can get in touch and book a therapy session with:

Natasha Fletcher

Gabriella Clarke

Faye Brennan