Tinnitus isn't just an auditory phenomenon. It's a multisystem experience involving the auditory system, cognitive interpretations, and the autonomic nervous system's state of arousal. When tinnitus becomes intrusive, all three systems are involved. Active Sound Therapy is a novel approach that integrates three evidence-based interventions (customized sound therapy, cognitive behavioral reframing, and bottom-up breathwork) with specific timing to address all three systems in a coordinated effort.
Grounded in Polyvagal Theory, AST proposes that controlled breathwork can shift autonomic state from defensive to safe while tinnitus is present, enabling the nervous system to reclassify tinnitus from threat to neutral stimulus. This presentation introduces the theoretical framework, protocol components, and preliminary clinical outcomes.
Attendees will be able to:
- Describe the current landscape of tinnitus treatment, including bimodal interventions and how they differ from one another.
- Discuss the three evidence-based primary components integrated into Active Sound Therapy: cognitive reframing, sound therapy, and breathwork.
- Implement two types of breathwork with patients on Monday morning when they return to the office and will be able to explain why it's important to integrate nervous system regulation into treatment plans for tinnitus.
