After almost two years of logistical problems and little progress, I contacted Roger Juneau, president of General Hearing Instruments in New Orleans, about assisting in the development phase. With his help, the TRI was created. So the TRI has become a reality. However, it is absolutely essential that these devices be used as part of an overall treatment plan. Initial follow-up appointments allow for fine tuning the fit of the TRIs and assessing their performance.
Clinic visits continue for directive counseling and to monitor the status of the tinnitus.
Generally, the course of treatment lasts from several months to two years. The tiny units issue a faint, broad-band noise, and are equipped with a volume control. An important part of the treatment process is instructing the wearer on the proper selection of volume, making sure that at no point does the sound exceed the level of the tinnitus. In people with significant hearing loss, appropriate amplification is used to obtain a sound-rich environment. Also, it is not unusual to alternate between hearing aids and TRIs, which are not worn all day.