Tinnitus isn’t a new subject when it comes to writing an article about hearing. A simple web search on the word Tinnitus will bring up lots of articles on the subject. This article will cover the basics of what Tinnitus is and then we hope to provide you with some facts and figures around this extremely common disorder that you may not already be aware of.
So what is it?
The official wording goes something like this “Tinnitus is the name given to the condition of noises ‘in the ears’ and/or ‘in the head’ with no external source. Tinnitus noises are described variously as ringing, whistling, buzzing and humming. The noise/s may be heard in one ear, both ears or in the middle of the head or it may be difficult to pinpoint its exact location. The noise may be low, medium or high-pitched. There may be a single noise or two or more components. The noise may be continuous or it may come and go.”
In layman’s terms Tinnitus is buzzing in the ear.
Who gets it?
It is a common misconception that Tinnitus is restricted to the elderly as is pretty much all hearing and deafness related conditions. This isn’t actually the case and anybody even young children can suffer with the condition and have done at some point in their lives. Tinnitus most commonly associated and usually occurs after a person has been exposed to a loud noise. This form of Tinnitus is rarely a big problem as it soon goes and in most cases doesn’t leave behind any long term damage.
It isn’t fully understood as of yet exactly what the causes are of Tinnitus but it certainly isn’t a disease or illness that can be caught from somebody else. It is merely a problem that is created from within a person’s very own auditory pathways
Just how common is it?
Two hundred and thirty thousand people in the UK suffer from the condition at a level which has a major effect on their ability to lead a normal everyday life.
Four hundred and seventy thousand people in the UK have it severe enough that it impacts on their quality of life.
Two million three hundred thousand adults can’t sleep because of the ringing or buzzing they experience through Tinnitus
Two million three hundred thousand sufferers not surprisingly find this condition moderately to severely annoying
Four million seven hundred thousand people within the UK have experienced a degree of Tinnitus outside being exposed to a loud noise at some point in their life.
Three million three hundred thousand adults within the UK have paid a visit to their local GP about a form of Tinnitus.
As you can see from these shocking statistics. Tinnitus is an extremely common condition within the UK. If we were to spread these figures across the world they would become UN believable.
The real takeaway from our article is that if you are experiencing any degree of a Tinnitus join the other 3.3 million people in the UK and go and see a doctor or a local audiologist for some advice.
Written on behalf of Digital Hearing Care providing UK Tinnitus Statistics