There is currently no known cure for tinnitus, however, there are some hearing aids that will reduce the impact that tinnitus has on its sufferers.
It is estimated that 7.1 million adults in the UK are currently living with tinnitus – following lengthy research, this figure has increased from 10% to 13.5% recently.
Tinnitus is an intermittent, or omni-present ringing, buzzing, humming or whooshing in the ear. These noises can be heard in one ear for periods of time, or both at the same time. Sufferers may also experience different noises from their ears at the same time, as tinnitus can strike with different pitches and levels of frequency. All of this means that the effects of tinnitus can vary widely. Some people are able to create their own ‘coping strategies’ and may never feel the need to seek expert advice. To others, however, the impacts may be far more serious and wide reaching – with mental health being affected in many cases – and some sufferers fearful of losing their sanity.
Whilst it is often seen as an affliction in the over 65 age group, there is concern that young adults may become more vulnerable as they have a higher use of headphones and earbuds, which may expose them to loud sounds that could cause the condition. Tinnitus can creep up steadily or be caused as the result of exposure to loud sounds – music and machinery for example – or may be the result of an accident or trauma. Here is a just such a story where an industrial accident triggered tinnitus. Stress can also impact on tinnitus, and may mean that sufferers find themselves in a vicious cycle of hearing the noises, worrying about the noises, dreading them returning – and so it goes on. Whilst there are some therapies that can help with tinnitus, and hearing aids can help, there is sadly no cure available at the moment.
Steven Hale’s advice is that you don’t suffer in silence. If you are suffering with associated hearing loss, whether this is minor or major this will cause your hearing system to essentially “turn in on itself” this is what we term ‘tinnitus’. Get your hearing checked and see if using a hearing aid can help you. Book a full hearing assessment – it’s Steven’s job to break the cycle.
