Originally posted 04/29/2009:

Over the past couple of years, I have been actively reading several tinnitus forums and other related tinnitus sites.  A common self-help theme exists which pulls one element from Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).  This element is an approach whereby the person with tinnitus completely accepts their tinnitus as just another part of their body.  They learn to not react to their tinnitus which is a key part of TRT.  In TRT, part of the theory is that the emotional part of the brain reacts negatively to tinnitus thus perpetuating the problem.  With this self-help approach, tinnitus is accepted thereby reducing any emotional negative response to it.  In time, the hope is that the brain will become habituated to the tinnitus.

I personally have seen some success with this self-help approach.  For one, just the process of time going by has lead to some natural habituation to my tinnitus.  My brain has somewhat learned that it is a "normal" part of me.   Second, I have learned to try my best to not distress over my tinnitus.  I even repeat phrases to myself such as "No emotional reaction to the tinnitus."  This does seem to help and soon enough, the brain naturally goes on to think about something else.

Some people with tinnitus take this self-help approach to further extremes whereby they cut off all contact from the tinnitus world.  In other words, they stop visiting tinnitus forums or sites such as this one.  I have heard that TRT professionals promote such an approach and recommend their patients to not go on the internet with tinnitus sites.  Moreover, they stop looking for any treatment approach to help with their tinnitus and even go back to things which they know in the past would increase their tinnitus such as caffeine and alcohol.  In effect they try to live their life completely accepting of their tinnitus and in effect try not to do anything which acknowledges its existence.

Aside from a short-term benefit from "letting-go" of worrying about the tinnitus, long-term results remain to be seen with this approach.  Furthermore, as no professional assistance is provided, the chances for success are limited.  Additional problems include the real possibility that anyone following this approach might be missing out on potential tinnitus treatments and might even be making their tinnitus worse by engaging in practices that worsen their tinnitus.

Nobody doubts the need for people with tinnitus to not distress about their condition to the greatest extent possible.  Stress and worry only serve to strengthen the tinnitus signal.  However, it remains to be seen whether the self-help approach described above will be an effective treatment approach.  What is your experience or thoughts?