Tinnitus Awareness Week
Tinnitus Awareness Week is taking place from 7-13 February. The purpose of this is to educate the public about the symptoms of tinnitus and how it affects people. Tinnitus is affecting around 20% of the adult population in this country and is quite common, often ranging from low roaring sounds to high pitched squealing.
Although many would find tinnitus annoying but fret not, it is not a life affecting illness and it can be treated. SoundLife Hearing wants you to help us to raise awareness of tinnitus. Let’s start by being mindful and make sure those that are suffering from tinnitus can seek professional help.
Tinnitus Biobank Research & Goals
British Tinnitus Association or also known as BTA started Tinnitus Biobank in the hope that we can one day find a cause for this debilitating condition. With this initiative, the researchers will be able to identify underlying causes, recognise the different tinnitus subtypes and uncover the biomarkers that would allow tinnitus, and the impact of treatments, to be objectively measured.
With adequate funding, the researchers believe that Tinnitus Biobank progress can be hastened. In the UK, tinnitus related research currently receives 40 times less funding than similar conditions. Investing just £4m in this biobank which is 0.53% of the £750 million that the health service spends every year treating people with tinnitus; would lead us one step closer to finding a cure.
Finding in BTA Latest Research in 2021
- Tinnitus is relentless – more than one in three people think about their condition every hour, causing anxiety and sadness
- 9.3% of people with tinnitus have had suicidal thoughts or thoughts of self-harm in the last two years
- Only 1.8% believe the NICE guidance has had a positive impact on their tinnitus
- People remain unhappy with the treatment options. Of those that don’t return to their GP following a tinnitus consultation, 40% think there isn’t any point and only 2.4% say this is because their treatment worked
- 66% say the speed with which Covid-19 vaccines have been developed has given them fresh hope that science could hold the answer for tinnitus
What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus (“ringing noise in the ear”) is a common symptom among patients with ear and hearing issues. Tinnitus is a subjective sound. This means, only the person who has it, can hear it. It is a sensation of hearing sound in your ears when no external sound is present. There are many types of sounds that a person can hear which include:
- ringing
- buzzing
- clicking
- humming
- hissing
For some, these sounds may be bearable. There are cases where tinnitus never stops and can affect their daily life.
Causes of Tinnitus
Most common causes of tinnitus occurs due to:
- Damage in the inner ear
- Constant exposure to loud noises which can cause temporary or permanent tinnitus
- Medical conditions such as circulatory disorders, cancer, diabetes, thyroid, Meniere’s disease and neck & neck injuries.
- Ear infections
- Severe trauma and stress
Impact of Tinnitus on Daily Life
Tinnitus can be relentless for people living with the condition. It can be very distressing and have a severe impact on quality of life. A survey carried out in November with 2,600 people with tinnitus, suggests almost one in 10 living with the condition has experienced thoughts about suicide or self-harm in the past two years.
One in three thought about their condition every hour, causing them anxiety and sadness. Tinnitus is an isolating condition, and more than a third of respondents report feeling that their partner or family don’t understand. Almost one in three people say that they feel that they have no one to turn to.
What should you do if you or someone you know has tinnitus?
Many people are embarrassed to admit that they have tinnitus. They felt that it is personal having to tell people about it seems silly. Do not let this stop you and start to seek proper professional advice. Start fighting against this stigma and regain back control in your life. Tinnitus affects millions of people and that should be brought up more, not shy away and forgotten about.
Treatment for Tinnitus
There are many ways to treat tinnitus. If the condition is affecting the quality of your life, our experts at SoundLife Hearing can recommend masking or tinnitus retraining therapy, hearing aids, and sound therapy to help you manage symptoms for the long term. Come see us to assess the best options to resolve your tinnitus.
