Biofeedback works on the principle that people and even some animals can be trained to change certain physical aspects of their body, such as temperature. There is over 40 years of data to back up the effectiveness and validity of biofeedback as a way to help tinnitus sufferers cope with their symptoms.
Numerous studies have revealed biofeedback to be extremely beneficial for those who have tinnitus, mostly psychologically although some people have reported a decrease in their actual perception of the ringing or buzzing noise they usually hear. Biofeedback is not to be confused with neurofeedback which is a more recent development in scientific technology, allowing doctors and researchers to monitor brain waves by placing a number of electrodes all over a person’s scalp.
A study which was conducted at Cornell University regarding the use of biofeedback in tinnitus patients for five months on a weekly basis showed that while none of the people who participated in the study noticed a change in their perception of the tinnitus, a number of people benefited from the training psychologically. Treatments for tinnitus can target the actual perception of the noise which being heard by patients or the psychological aspect of the condition which has more to do with one’s focus on the phantom noises.
Biofeedback sessions vary in length and can be anywhere from thirty minutes to a full hour, depending on the patient and how far along in the training they are. One of the main goals of biofeedback training/therapy is to get the person who is undergoing it to learn how to “tune out” the noises they are hearing.
The several different methods of measurement in biofeedback include EMG or electromyogram as well as GSR or temperature and galvanic skin response. These can be used to determine the progress of those who undergo biofeedback training which has been proven to help many people with tinnitus in terms of their mental awareness.
