Both rules are related. The reason for not masking the tinnitus is simply that you can't refocus your attention away from something you can't hear. The tinnitus devices emit a soothing, broadband noise that has no negative connotations mentally associated with it. Tinnitus Adaptation Therapy teaches the patient why the device noise is necessary, how to adjust the volume appropriately, and several exercises to promote replacing negative associations with positive ones. If this sounds simple, that's because it is.
Many patients can adapt to tinnitus on their own.
However, the one out of five patients who can't sleep, concentrate, or maintain relationships, do need help. They need to be fitted with binaural tinnitus devices to accompany Tinnitus Adaptation Therapy . Those patients with a dead ear or dramatic hearing loss in one ear may wear only one device. Tinnitus Treatment Centers, Inc. has developed a complete protocol for the treatment of tinnitus. In order to achieve this success, patients must be willing to make a long-term commitment to wearing their tinnitus devices and actively participating in Tinnitus Adaptation Therapy .