Why Do We Accept Tinnitus-Distress Treatment as the Final Answer?

This is a question more poised at the scientific community but why do researchers think that psychological treatments for anxiety and depression are the be all, end all for tinnitus patients? To be clear, when I say "tinnitus treatment", I mean something designed to modulate, reduce, or eliminate the tinnitus signal and NOT negative emotional affect.

Seriously, why do practitioners think something like CBT is the end game? Setting aside the blatant conflicts of interests CBT providers have in protecting their business revenue, why are we expected to just "live with it"? Cancer patients aren't expected to life with cancer. It's a life threatening illness that isn't in the same league as tinnitus? Ok, fine. People with fevers below 105 F are not expected to just suffer either despite having a condition that impairs sleep, work, and other social activities.

You might argue that science lacks an answer or effective universal treatment. Then why aren't we working on one? Why aren't we promoting treatments like lidocaine to patients instead of CBT? I know a possible answer to this question but I'm sick of people (most of whom probably lack tinnitus) telling us to "just live with it".

Stop treating co-morbid conditions and actually treat the illness.

 

I agree with you! It sucks how we are simply told live with it, doctors seem to try and get rid of us and be handled by therapists as if tinnitus will get better in sound, mentally it can or can't... my first therapist said "I don't know what to say, I don't know how to help you, I never had a patient like you before" just greaaaaat

 

Because they don’t have any definitive answers to you he problem!!

 

To the problem!!

 

Well then they need to shut it and not pretend they have any treatments.

 

Since there isn't any solution, the only second best treatment is habituation. It's not going to replace the cure, but it's better than nothing. Personally it has helped me through with my T. Aside from periods of sadness, I don't think my level of happiness has changed since I've had T. Of course I would always want to be cured, but as of right now... Life is better if I don't dwell on the negative.

That's just my opinion though.

 

I don't. its good to handle your stress but nobody should be paid a good salary to help people like that.

 

I don't understand what you, and others, are getting at. Who are the "people like that"? Are you saying that people who are under tremendous distress from tinnitus should not have the right to purchase therapy sessions from a qualified professional, that could possibly help them cope?

 

we already know the ATA and BTA are away behind on cross disipline research and their primarily interest is CBT.