Tinnitus Retraining Therapy is one of the most well-researched approaches for managing bothersome tinnitus, and it's something we offer here at Boerne Hearing & Tinnitus. If you're dealing with persistent ringing, buzzing, or other phantom sounds, TRT may be able to help you reach a point where tinnitus no longer disrupts your daily life.
What Is TRT?
TRT combines two components — counseling and sound therapy — to help your brain gradually stop reacting to tinnitus. The goal isn't necessarily silence; it's habituation, which means reaching a point where your brain filters out the tinnitus sound the way it filters out the hum of an air conditioner or a ceiling fan. You may still technically hear it, but it stops commanding your attention.
The process typically takes 12 to 18 months, with many people noticing early improvements around the 3-month mark.
The Two Components of TRT
Counseling is where TRT begins. Before starting, you'll undergo a thorough interview and hearing evaluation with our audiologist. From there, counseling sessions — typically one to two hours each — focus on helping you understand how your auditory system works, shifting negative thought patterns about tinnitus, and beginning the habituation process. Understanding what's actually happening in your brain can take away a lot of the anxiety that often makes tinnitus feel worse.
Sound therapy uses a wearable device that plays soft masking or white noise just below the level of your tinnitus. By reducing the contrast between the tinnitus and the surrounding sound environment, your brain gets an easier path toward tuning it out.
Does TRT Actually Work?
The research is encouraging. More than 100 studies have examined TRT, and most report meaningful improvement in roughly 80% of people. The therapy has also evolved over time, with modifications that have further improved its effectiveness.
It does require commitment — this is not a quick fix — but for people whose tinnitus is significantly affecting their sleep, concentration, or social life, TRT offers a structured, proven path forward.
TRT vs. Other Tinnitus Treatments
A few types of tinnitus have identifiable causes — earwax buildup or medication side effects, for example — and can be addressed directly. For most people, though, tinnitus related to hearing loss cannot be eliminated entirely.
That's why management-based approaches like TRT matter. We also offer the Lenire device, which is the only FDA-approved dual-mode tinnitus treatment available. Lenire uses a combination of sound through wireless headphones and mild pulses to the tongue — a method called bimodal neuromodulation — to help reduce the brain's sensitivity to tinnitus. Clinical trials involving more than 600 participants showed that 86–91% of treatment-compliant patients reported sustained improvement.
Some patients do well with TRT alone. Others benefit from Lenire. Some use both. The right approach depends on your specific situation, which is why a thorough assessment comes first.
Why Choose an Audiologist for Tinnitus Care
Tinnitus is a specialized area of audiology, and not every hearing practice is equipped to manage it properly. Many clinics acknowledge tinnitus during consultations but have no real treatment options beyond hearing aids. Our practice was built with tinnitus management as a core focus — not an afterthought.
Dr. Rachel Higginbotham is a Doctor of Audiology with nearly 15 years of experience and is one of the few providers in the area offering both TRT and Lenire. That level of specialization matters when you're dealing with a condition that affects your sleep, focus, and overall quality of life.
Over-the-counter options for tinnitus exist, but they lack the clinical structure, follow-up, and professional oversight that consistently produce results. Tinnitus management works best when it's guided, adjusted over time, and tailored to how you're responding.
Schedule a Tinnitus Consultation in Boerne
If tinnitus has been affecting your day-to-day life, you don't have to just wait it out. We invite you to schedule a tinnitus assessment with our team at Boerne Hearing & Tinnitus. We'll evaluate your hearing, discuss your symptoms, and walk you through the options that make sense for you — whether that's TRT, Lenire, or a combination of both.
We invite you to call our practice at 830-755-4327 to schedule your tinnitus consultation.
