Tinnitus sufferers have been 'abandoned' by the NHS, being left on endless waiting lists and dismissed by doctors, a charity has claimed.
Tinnitus sufferers have been 'abandoned' by the NHS , being left on endless waiting lists and dismissed by doctors, a charity has claimed.
'It has had a big impact on my work,' says Kerry. 'I can't concentrate and I often don't want to talk to clients. It has really affected me.' One in seven adults in the UK - almost eight million - suffer from tinnitus, often described as a ringing in the ears 'The issue is that, for many private clinics, tinnitus is of low priority and focuses on selling prescriptions or equipment.'As well as ringing, they may hear buzzing, hissing, whistling, humming or even distant voices. The sounds may also vary in pitch, and come and go or be continuous.There are no clear causes, as tinnitus can be linked to a number of conditions, including hearing loss, diabetes and thyroid disorders.
However, research from Leeds Trinity University found that only 8 per cent of people who go to their GP with tinnitus are given a CBT referral. Dr James Jackson is a psychologist at LTU who has the condition and is a specialist in its treatment. Although he had suffered with the condition all his life, he then experienced catastrophic hearing loss which caused it to worsen.
'For starters,' he adds, 'it is about shifting your mindset to understand that it is not going away – there is no magic cure. Another case involved Lars Henriksson, a classical musician from London, who felt a sudden loud clear tone while playing a gig 25 years ago. The 65-year-old says: 'I tried everything, from sound therapy to yoga retreats. I was obsessed with trying to fix it but nothing worked.''He made me realise that it wasn't the end of my life as I knew it,' says the dad-of-two. 'I lead a normal life now.
'While there is not a replacement for face-to-face therapy, this is a really exciting and useful tool for patients,' says Sue Falkingham, a Yorkshire-based audiologist. 'It can be difficult to find CBT designed specifically for tinnitus patients, but this app does that.' A 2024 study found a third of patients who took a two-month course of mindfulness had a reduction in symptoms and also reported fewer negative thoughts about their condition.
However, Dr Jackson warns against living in fear and says: 'For me it was about understanding what makes my tinnitus worse and accepting it, 'I love drinking coffee but it can cause me problems throughout the day. That doesn't mean I always avoid it. I own the decision and understand I am in control.'
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