Relaxation-biofeedback in the treatment of tinnitus.

Tinnitus has traditionally been thought of as a condition that simply must be endured. Recent evidence suggests that relaxation-biofeedback treatment is effective in reducing or eliminating tinnitus. Eleven male subjects participated in seven to thirteen sessions of relaxation treatment; during three of these sessions biofeedback monitoring occurred. Subjects completed scales and questionnaires prior to treatment. These data were then compared with post-treatment responses. One scale was used for subjects' description of tinnitus severity, and another scale recorded subjects' general tension levels. Results revealed a statistically high correlation between subject reports of tinnitus and tension. Shortly after treatment, two subjects no longer reported the sensation of tinnitus. At an eighteen-month follow-up, 90 percent of the subjects reported that relaxation-biofeedback reduced or decreased their negative reaction to tinnitus; 63 percent of subjects reported a recognizable reduction or decrease in the tinnitus itself.