In the USA alone, about 44 million people have tinnitus , and for about 10 million it creates a problem sufficiently serious that they seek professional help. For about one to two million people, the results are intrusive and debilitating. Until now, there has been no effective method of treatment.
Hyperacusis is painful sensitivity to sounds of average or soft volume.
It can occur with or without tinnitus, and can be equally devastating. In searching for causes and cures for tinnitus , previous research theorized that the sound originated in the ear and was transmitted directly from the ear to the cortex of the brain via the auditory pathways. Although the trigger or source of the problem may be within the cochlea, Dr. Jastreboff's model postulates that the source is not of primary importance in determining the annoyance of tinnitus and hyperacusis or its treatability. The program involves a detailed interview and special test battery. Besides using anxiety reduction techniques and counseling, the program uses therapeutic wide band noise at a very low level, in a different way from orthodox masking techniques.