'More action needed' to help tinnitus sufferers

Though less than one per cent of the population aged under 45 suffer from tinnitus, the condition can be debilitating and severely impair a person's quality of live.

Largely a result of use of industrial machinery and also affecting a large majority of those who have been in armed conflict, it is expected that 15 per cent of people will suffer at sometime in their lives, as the chances of developing it after the age of 45 increase.

Now, a new study conducted in the UK has resulted in calls for the millions of sufferers worldwide to be given more support.

An extensive research review in the November issue of the Journal of Clinical Nursing, conducted by experts at Canterbury Christ Church University in Kent, has revealed that five per cent of the UK's 4.7 million sufferers experience severe and persistent tinnitus that affects their lifestyle.

Professor Susan Holmes, who led the study, told private health cover holders that not enough is being done to support patients who experience it.

"Despite the fact that it is a very distressing condition and can affect people's lifestyle and quality of life, around 94 per cent of patients are simply told that nothing can be done to alleviate the condition," the healthcare specialist said.

She added that 75 per cent of 18 to 30 year olds who go to nightclubs and concerts may experience temporary tinnitus, which illustrates the potential danger which people are in.

"Tinnitus is a widespread condition that affects millions of people across the world and there is considerable debate about its causes. The condition, which can be permanent or temporary and acute or chronic, increases with age and can also occur after bereavement or during stressful periods," professor Holmes explained.

The expert teamed with Nigel Padgham, an ear nose and throat surgery specialist from Kent and Canterbury Hospital, to carry out an extensive research review of nearly 150 papers published since 1983.

According to the results, 62 per cent of tinnitus sufferers have a lifetime prevalence of major depression, 63 per cent display defined psychiatric disturbance and 62 per cent have signs of lifetime depression.

Mr Padgham told those with affordable health insurance that, although there has been a significant amount of research on tinnitus, most of it has focused on developing a better understanding of the cause and therapy rather than on its impact on patients or ways of helping them to cope with it.

He concluded: "Telling patients that nothing can be done is not acceptable. Providing nurses and other health professionals with more information on the condition, and how to manage it, is the first step in that process."

By James McCann

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