Tinnitus: Ringing the in the ears

Tinnitus is the name for hearing noises in one ear, both ears or in the head that doesn’t come from an outside source. An estimated 1.05 million GP consultations take place every year in the UK, with the treatment pathway for tinnitus costing the NHS £750 million.

Approximately six million people in the UK are living with tinnitus and this is set to rise by more than half a million by 2028!

Sufferers include Good Morning Britain host Susanna Reid, Coldplay singer Chris Martin and Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am.

According to the British Tinnitus Association, their research found that 15% of sufferers said the condition had led to suicidal thoughts.

What does tinnitus sound like?

Most people describe tinnitus as a ringing in the ears, but others say it also sounds like:

• Hissing
• Ringing
• Buzzing
• Booming
• Whooshing
• White noise

Occasionally, tinnitus can sound like fragments of tunes or songs. This is known as ‘musical hallucinations’.

Who gets tinnitus?

Anyone can get tinnitus, no matter what their age, although it is more common in people who have hearing loss or other ear problems, it can also be found in people with normal hearing. An estimated 10% of the UK adult population experience tinnitus frequently. Around 5% find it affects their quality of life.

What causes tinnitus?

The exact cause of tinnitus is not known, research is still ongoing to find out. However, there is a link between tinnitus and hearing loss. Most cases of tinnitus are linked to hearing loss caused by damage to the inner ear, such as through normal ageing or exposure to loud noise.

Here are some other known factors involved in the development of tinnitus:

1. Injury to the ears or head

2. Ear infection

3. A Disease of the ear

4. A side effect of medication

5. Emotional stress

Tinnitus and mental health

Research from The British Tinnitus Association has found that tinnitus can put a huge strain on someone's mental health as it can affect a person's social life and career. The charity is calling for increased investment into the condition to help find a cure.

"Tinnitus gets 40 times less funding than conditions like anxiety and depression despite having correlations and being quite similar in terms of the impact. So we really need more money into looking for a cure." – Kerry Chase, British Tinnitus Association

The BTA offers a confidential tinnitus helpline. You can for support, and they may be able to point you in the right direction for local support groups. For more information, visit their website: www.tinnitus.org.uk/helpline

Managing tinnitus

If you are suffering from tinnitus, there are different strategies out there that can be very helpful:

Sound therapy

Tinnitus can seem more noticeable and sound louder in quiet environments. At night, you can try sound therapy by filling the silence with calm, neutral sounds to distract you from the noises in your ears.

Counselling 

Techniques such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy can help you manage the effects tinnitus has on your life by giving you techniques to help with the stress and anxiety brought on by tinnitus. If you have a better understanding of tinnitus and your thought process, you’ll feel more confident about managing it effectively.

Exercise

Not only does exercise help the body achieve a higher level of well-being, but it can be an effective way of distracting you from the constant noise!

Relaxation & Meditation

It is quite common to feel anxious and afraid when you first experience tinnitus. Stress can be a trigger of tinnitus which will make you feel more agitated. Try to relax more and you may notice your tinnitus less. Among the different types of relaxation are yoga, tai-chi and meditation.