August 2, 2000
For Immediate Release:
Two B.C. Clinics To Offer
Breakthrough Tinnitus Therapy
Mr. Osvaldo (Ozzie) Iadarola reports,
KAMLOOPS, B.C. - Audiotech Healthcare Corporation (AUD-CDNX) is pleased to announce that its Downtown Kamloops and Salmon Arm, B.C., clinics are now offering Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT), a relatively new therapeutic management technique which has proven highly effective in alleviating the symptoms of this common and potentially devastating hearing disorder. Tinnitus generally refers to any sound being heard by a patient that is not related to an actual sound in his or her environment. Most frequently, tinnitus is described by patients as either a ringing, hissing, buzzing, chirping, or cricket-like sound. It is estimated that as much as 17% of the general population may be affected by tinnitus, a frequent side effect of noise induced hearing loss. For most patients, the symptoms of tinnitus are relatively mild and do not present serious long-term effects. However, for tens of thousands of individuals in North America, the effects of tinnitus are debilitating.
The theory behind TRT was developed by Pawel J. Jastreboff, Ph.D., in the mid 1980's based on his neurophysiological model of tinnitus. The therapy, which actually involves a multi-faceted treatment regimen that includes in-depth education, counseling, sound therapy, and more, was first implemented clinically in the U.S. in 1988. While limited clinical test data is currently available, early results indicated that TRT may be effective in up to 80% of cases, considerably better than alternative treatments. In addition, TRT does not have the potential side effects and other risks that are inherent in alternative treatments such as medication and surgery.
Audiotech's Downtown Kamloops and Salmon Arm clinics are the first in B.C.'s Thompson / Okanagan region and among the first in Canada to offer the therapy. As a result, we expect that these clinics will become regional referral centres for patients requesting the therapy and for audiologists seeking more effective ways to treat their patients with the disorder. We anticipate that TRT will contribute significantly to our clinics' organic growth over the coming years.
Commenting on the introduction of TRT to Audiotech's clinical services, Daniel Allan, Audiologist, Vice-President and Chief Operating Manager, said: "It is critical that Audiotech remain at the forefront of treatment technologies. We are committed to offering all of our patients the highest standard of care possible. TRT offers many patients inflicted with severe tinnitus the opportunity for a better quality of life."
Audiotech currently owns and operates 12 audiology and hearing care clinics across Western Canada and the Northwest U.S. and is the third largest public consolidator of such clinics in North America. For more information on the Corporation, contact Diane or Jim Andrews of J.J.&D Communications at 1-800-942-1533, or Osvaldo (Ozzie) Iadarola, President and CEO, or Darryl Walker, Marketing and Systems Coordinator, at (250) 372-5847, or visit the Corporation’s website at: www.audiotech.org |
