Customer Reviews

Tinnitus Retraining Therapy: Implementing the Neurophysiological Model

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Jastreboff's TRT:INM is essential reading for those of us who suffer from tinnitus and is approachable by even the layman.

Jastreboff explores what factors may be in play in tinnitus emergence and how personality and conditioning may contribute. His neurophysiological model of tinnitus explains the oto-neurological reorganization that takes place to intensify and make persistent the tinnitus percept. The plasticity of the related mechanisms offers encouragement for relief and recovery. His many documented successes with TRT are indisputable. However, there still are failures. Inadequate "TRT counselling"? In addition to counselling sessions on the neurophysiological model other therapies may be necessary -- psychotherapy, cognative behavioral therapy, distraction attention techniques, imaginary exercises and modifications of maladaptive thoughts and behaviors.

Will TRT work for me?

[Note: I finished this text and followed it immediately with Kevin Hogan's "Tinnitus: Turning the Volume Down." It is an interesting contrast. Jastreboff frowns on the use of drugs and many other "modalities", banking almost exclusively on his neurophysiological model of tinnitus and conforming therapies. Hogan, who suffered and received significant relief takes a more pragmatic approach: If it works, he won't dismiss it. He does address the pros and cons of many approaches. And he is not against an approach, which uses many treatments concurrantly. He plays the percentages, hoping to increase the probability of success (1 - p1%*p2%*...*pn%). Hogan himself used a variety of meds and hypnosis to achieve habituation of reaction and perception of his own severe tinnitus.]

I read about 5 books on tinnitus and hyperacusis. This is, by far, the best. The only thing needed to treat tinnitus is to understand some methods, which are explained, and to purchase a $50 nature sound machine. My only complaint is that the author didn't provide a list of nature sound machines (academians don't endorse, I guess), and these are somewhat difficult to shop for.

Fast reading--took me about 4 hours. Easiest way to figure out how to treat tinnitus and hyperacusis. Not fully "cured", but treatment teached me how to live accommodate both tinnitus and hyperacusis.

The good is that this book provides solid information on how the brain perceives and deals with sound. The bad is that Jastrebff & Hazell ignore research that counters their preconceived notions regarding impacts of severe tinnitus on the patient, thus, their TRT model is based on questionable research and results.

I've had low volume tinnitus since age fifteen resulting from a firecracker going off near my right ear but it was easily tuned out. Then during July,2007 I started experiencing very loud tinnitus that persists today, ranging in volume from low to very high, loud enough at times to be easily heard over a vacuum cleaner. I can drift off to sleep with very low tinnitus, wake up an hour later with it blasting away, or the other way around. Also, it moves from perception in the right ear, then to the left, sometimes in both over a three to five day cycle. For solutions I turned to books such as this and one by Kevin Hogan. I did find useful knowledge in both books and approaches but no answer or solution.

This book provide valuable information but assumptions are made only using data that support the researchers assumptions, while ignoring data that counters their assumptions. An example is the statement on page 72: "Tinnitus loudness and pitch bear no relationship to the severity of tinnitus, to its diagnosis or to the outcome of its treatment." That is akin to saying that noise volume plays no role in the level of discomfort by the one experiencing it, i.e. whether one stands ten yards from a screaming jet engine or three hundred yards makes no difference in discomfort levels to those hearing the jet engine. Their statement defies logic and common sense. I know when my tinnitus is low, I easily tune it out, when it is blasting away then I cannot. Also, mine varies in pitch and the higher the pitch, the higher the discomfort level. Volume and pitch do play a role and, as is often the case, doctors are not or not wanting to listen their patients.

Other weakness include their conclusion that all tinnitus originates in the cochlea. Solid research exists that counters that assumption. Severing the nerve that leads from the cochlea to the brain has proven otherwise, sometimes tinnitus was unchanged after the severing. Research indicates that the brain itself creates noise that is sometimes perceived as tinnitus if it is within the frequency that the audio cortex can interpret the noise as sound. The authors also repeatedly quote and old 1953 study regarding response of hearing in a sound proof room. Rather than substantiate old research with another simple experiment they use the old data without question. Solid research would require a repeat of such a simple experiment, especially since it was done nearly fifty years in the past.

I have a strong research background and know padded research when I read it. I used similar tactics to prove my term paper and thesis research while in college and to some extent after. I would formulate a hypothesis, write the paper, then use the university library computer system to find data to prove my hypothesis, while purposely ignoring data that could raise doubts or disprove it. This gimmick is commonly used by professors in academia to submit grant proposals for extra income. Academic careers have been made using such questionable tactics Their success is predetermined, thus, income guaranteed. I just learned it quickly as a student and used their tactic to receive both a BS and MS degree in four years.

Buy the book if you're wanting knowledge, if looking for solutions, don't be surprised if you do not find any. TRT is a very costly treatment so move forward with caution and read Dr. Kevin Hogan's book "Turning the Volume Down." This individual is a Psychologist who actually lived with severe tinnitus. I do not lay any claims to the validity of his methods, but he does present interesting alternatives. I have since learned mine is produced within the brain and that the only real solution may be time.

Finally, a scientific book on Tinnitus which makes perfect sense!

I'm suffering from Tinnitus since about two years. I've visited several ENTs and I've tried acupuncture, electrical stimulation and different kinds of medication to no success. This book is a true gem - I only wish I had read it sooner, and that my ENT doctors knew about a quarter of it (it puzzles me how they can be so ignorant about such an important condition).

The neurophysiological model described by Dr. Jastreboff and Dr. Hazell is very logical and sound, it explains the mechanisms that trigger and sustain the phantom tinnnitus sound, and it stands the known scientific tests and scenarios. The book also describes TRT, a method developed by one of the authors of the book and the best known method for treating Tinnitus. TRT does not explicitly address the source of the sound - which is not possible as of today, but rather the perception and the reaction to the sound in the limbic and autonomic nervous systems. TRT has a proven success rate of 80% and it combines counseling and sound therapy. Although TRT can take quite some time (12 to 18 months), no medication at all and no special diet is needed.

This book, is quite scientific (and I must say quite fascinating) but I think the most important points can be understood by a lay person. I've previously read the book Tinnitus, Turning the Volume Down: Proven Strategies for Quieting the Noise in Your Head, but it relied too much on medication and it was very pragmatic - without any type of scientific validation.

I wish I lived in London, Atlanta and Baltimore so that I could be treated by one of the authors of the book. Not only they are smart, but as they write in the book, they care deeply about their patients.

If you suffer from Tinnitus, if you know somebody who is suffering from it or if you just want to learn more about it, this is the book to read. Highly recommended!

I have tinnitus and from time to time it's been very upsetting. This book has helped me cope with it as no other resource has been able to do. It's a lot of mental work but it's good work and it delivers results. The book teaches you how to rethink your attitude towards this often bizarre disorder so that you can effectively heal yourself. In sections it's heavy going with all the scientific talk and data, but it's manageable and once you get into it it makes great sense and best of all you can already feel that your mind is absorbing the information and making the changes you want to see.

If you have tinnitus and you want to do something positive to change it for the better, this is the book you should be reading.

Finally, an all-inclusive book--from the discovery of a most brilliant neuroscientist--that explains the mysteries of the auditory system, tinnitus/hyperacusis/hearing loss and how it is possible to achieve permanent relief. Topics run the gamut from the processing of sounds within the brain to the treatment protocol including recovery results with statistics to prevention: Based on the Jastreboff Neurophysiological Model of Tinnitus.

Book even gives an unbiased overview of other tinnitus treatments. Incredibly Forthright! Extremely Informative! Easy-To-Read Format.

This is a book "not-to-miss" for everything one needs to know. And, most importantly, for the only correct treatment for permanent relief in the world.

The treatment, TRT, will be needed in a futuristic world in order for people to strengthen their auditory systems to tolerate the sound levels of their environment. TRT will be revolutionary. Book contains help; book contains hope. Book contains proof that no one need suffer anymore!

The book was helpful, however it is very complicated to understand. It is definately not for the layman.
It did not have any advice for treatment other than "masking divices" For instance, I find it helpful to
play the radio, or run a fan.

Tinnitus retraining therapy is so far the best book I read about tinnitus. No baseless promises of a total cure but the way to live with tinnitus without losing your patience and mind.