Frequency & Habituation

[Greg Clarke]

Hi Dr. Nagler,

Just a quick one this time. I see a lot of talk on forums suggesting a lower frequency tinnitus is easier to deal with over all. In your opinion, is the frequency of an individuals tinnitus itrelevant in terms of achieving habituation?

Best Regards

Greg

 

[Dr. Nagler]

Just a quick one this time. I see a lot of talk on forums suggesting a lower frequency tinnitus is easier to deal with over all. In your opinion, is the frequency of an individuals tinnitus itrelevant in terms of achieving habituation?

Habituation really has nothing to do with dealing with or coping with tinnitus. So let me answer this way.

• It seems to me that low frequency tinnitus is generally easier to deal with than high frequency tinnitus.
• It seems to me that low frequency tinnitus is generally easier to cope with than high frequency tinnitus.
• It seems to me that for individuals who are trying to habituate on their own, those who have low frequency tinnitus tend to have an easier time of it than those who have high frequency tinnitus.
• But in terms of habituation success rates in TRT, frequency is absolutely irrelevant.

By the way, the same four bullets apply if you are talking about tinnitus loudness instead of tinnitus frequency.

Dr. Stephen Nagler