What is the purpose of your clinic?
We provide evaluations, diagnosis, and treatment for individuals who suffer from tinnitus and/or hyperacusis. We receive referrals from physicians, audiologists, hearing aid dispensers, lawyers, worker's comp., alternative medical specialists (chiropractors, naturopaths, acupuncturists, massage therapists, etc.) as well as from the national office located in Baltimore, Maryland. Patients currently enrolled in TRT at this office live in all the states in the USA, and many different countries around the globe including Asia, Africa, and South America.

Dr. Marsha Johnson completed special training in May of 1997 from Dr. Jastreboff at the Maryland Clinic in TRT. She is a member of OAA, OSHA, AAA and ASHA, and a certified member of the newly formed association of professionals certified in this field, TRTA.

What is TRT?
This treatment method involves intensive audiologic evaluation (requires about 2 hours), followed by diagnosis and placement into one of five treatment categories. Patients enrolled in the program receive a lengthy directive counseling session (4-6 hours), and are often fitted with white noise generators (binaural). Follow-ups are frequent, with retesting at 6, 12, and 24 months. Monthly counseling follow-ups are continued for the first 6 months and a numeric rating system is used to assess improvement. Maximum improvement has been documented at about 18-24 months, and improvement appears to be permanent in 85% of patients who complete the program. Dr. Pawel Jastreboff developed this method in 1985, opened his Baltimore clinic in 1990 at the U. of Maryland Medical School where he has completed TRT on over 1400 patients. He has been published in many peer-reviewed scientific journals and is preparing to issue a book about TRT this year.

Does insurance cover the cost of the treatment?
Insurance companies, including the Medicaid and Medicare, will cover part of the costs for the audiologic evaluation. Instruments are typically regarded in the same category as hearing aid units and coverage varies from policy to policy.

Cost for the treatment at this time ranges from $1800 to $2800, depending on the choice of generator design. Diagnostic evaluations are billed separately.

Who is a good candidate for TRT?
Patients must be cleared by their medical specialist prior to enrollment: an otologist is preferred. Using the principles of habituation therapy, which is part of the TRT model, patients who suffer from chronic tinnitus or debilitating hyperacusis due to a wide range of etiologies are eligible for treatment. Meniere's Disease patients may find TRT helpful but may progress more slowly due to the fluctuations associated with this disorder. Medical records on all patients are obtained prior to treatment, and clinic progress reports sent to physicians as desired.

How can I refer a patient to the clinic?
Patients may contact this clinic by calling (503) 234-1221 or by accessing our website at http://www.tinnitus-audiology.com/

You may send faxes to (503) 234-4227

Brochures are available for use in your offices with a mail in card requesting more information.
To receive Articles with further information about tinnitus and/or hyperacusis,
please email the clinic your FAX, email address, and/or postal address
along with your request for the information.