Tinnitus is an extremely annoying condition that is often called “ringing in the ears.” The Mayo Clinic reports that 15 to 20% of people have chronic tinnitus, more commonly in older individuals. The sounds of tinnitus are different for each person, ranging from constant tones, the traditional ringing, buzzing, or even roaring, like the sound of the ocean that you hear when you put your ear to a seashell.
Since tinnitus affects hearing, methods of biofeedback that require auditory signals are of little use. Fortunately, neurofeedback is primarily a visual therapy. This increases its potential to help individuals with tinnitus.
In 2018, Chinese researchers reported that neurofeedback was especially effective in reducing the level of tinnitus over the long term. They found that a six-month treatment produced stable results long after treatment came to an end. This study, however, looked at only one group of patients. More promising are the results from a review study out of Switzerland.
Swiss researchers conducted a review of tinnitus studies involving neurofeedback in 2018, the same year as the Chinese research. After noting the effectiveness of neurofeedback for treating ADD, hyperactivity, depression, and migraines, they pointed to studies that demonstrate neurofeedback’s good results for controlling tinnitus. They found that the process of “teaching” the brain to self-regulate its activity was responsible for the therapy’s effectiveness.
To find out whether you are a candidate for tinnitus therapy via neurofeedback, contact Sacramento’s Brain Health Clinic by phone or online and ask for a free consultation.