Learned self-control of tinnitus through a matching-to-sample feedback technique: a clinical investigation.

Two cases are reported in which subjective tinnitus aurium was treated with a matching-to-sample procedure. Following baseline evaluations, the subjects' experienced tinnitus was reproduced audiometrically in terms of loudness, frequency, and quality. This was presented to them in the noninvolved ear and was gradually reduced within sessions. The subjects were required to concentrate on reducing their tinnitus until an equal match had been achieved between it and the stimulus sound at each new decibel level. Both subjects gained control over their tinnitus and were able to reduce it markedly from baseline levels. This procedure is viewed as an advance over other techniques not only in that it significantly reduces the tinnitus but in the fact that it is done through the subject's own control, providing psychological benefit as well.