CBT and tinnitus

Two clinical psychologists from the Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, London, explain how CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) can be effective for treating tinnitus. CBT aims to help patients identify links between emotionally distressing feelings such as fear, anxiety, hopelessness and worry, associated thoughts, behaviours and their physical response to their tinnitus. By encouraging patients to adapt their responses and reduce the impact of distressing feelings, CBT aims to limit the attention they give to tinnitus rather than completely get rid of it.

Acupuncture for tinnitus: a sound alternative?

Andrew Jackson, a professional acupuncturist, shares his experience of working with people with tinnitus. Acupuncture is a powerful form of treatment used by practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine.  It works by strengthening the immune system and it aims to treat and prevent disease and control pain.  It is a well-developed holistic treatment dating back over 3,000 years.  Today it is widely used throughout the world.  Andrew explains how acupuncture works and gives specific reference to treating tinnitus patients.

RNID and tinnitus research

Remarkable progress has been made towards understanding how the inner ear converts sound vibrations into electrical signals. In contrast, very little is known about how we 'hear' these electrical signals. To develop new treatments for tinnitus it will be vital to improve our understanding of how the brain processes these electrical signals. Dr Ralph Holme and Munna Vio from RNID review three projects funded by RNID that look at this.