title: Small-group counseling in a modified tinnitus retraining therapy for chronic tinnitus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The authors have treated chronic tinnitus patients using a combination of a simplified tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) and medications, which we called modified TRT. In this clinical setting, we have attempted small-group counseling to find a time-effective equivalent of individual counseling. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of small-group counseling by comparing the treatment outcomes between individual and small-group counseling.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patients who had distressing chronic tinnitus with normal hearing or mild hearing loss were included. The subjects were placed into the small-group (group 1:4) or the individual (group 1:1) counseling group, and underwent a modified TRT composed of a single session of directive counseling and ambient sound stimulation. In addition, alprazolam (0.25 mg) and ginkgo biloba extract (80 mg) were administered orally to the subjects for 3 months. The 3- and 6- month outcomes were assessed using the follow-up rates and tinnitus severity scores: awareness, tinnitus handicap inventory (THI), loudness, annoyance, and effect on life. The treatment responses were classified as improvement, no changes, and worsening.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the total 149 patients (77 in group 1:1; 72 in group 1:4), 104 patients completed the protocol at 3 months, and 55 patients at 6 months. The follow-up rates were similar in both groups. Over the period of 6 months, all scores declined significantly except the loudness score at 3 months in both groups. Treatment responses showed no between-group differences. The success rate based on THI was 70% in group 1:1, and 64% in group 1:4 at 6 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The small-group counseling of our modified TRT was comparable to the individual counseling for tinnitus relief. We suggest that this protocol can be implemented effectively in any crowded otolaryngology clinics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Shi-Nae
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Seong-Cheon
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Dong-Kee
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Yong-Soo
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sang-Won
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Yeo
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: So-Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Park
keywords: Benzodiazepines; Directive counseling; Tinnitus; Tinnitus retraining therapy