Imagine life with a constant ringing, humming, or buzzing in your ear. It rarely stops and there is currently no cure.
This is how people with Tinnitus have to live their lives.
Latest research from Royal National Institute for Deaf People suggests that 1 in seven adults are currently suffering from Tinnitus in the UK.
This week sees a national campaign to raise awareness of the condition.
Gary Willhide, 49, who suffers from tinnitus, said: “To get an idea of what my tinnitus sounds like – Imagine being in a closet with a vacuum cleaner running.
“That is what it sounds like and how loud it usually is. Except, there is no way to turn it off.
“The vacuum cleaner just keeps going 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“At first this caused a good bit of fear and depression. Especially the thought that I will have this noise in my head forever.”
Paul Nand, of the Liverpool Hearing Centre, offers Tinnitus Self-Help guides to those in Merseyside who seek treatment.
He said: “Being told there is no cure is not helpful because it suggests that tinnitus can’t be treated.
A combination of sound therapy, tinnitus retraining therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy are generally the most effective forms of treatment.”
According to the Hearing Centre the worry caused by tinnitus adds to the overall discomfort. The centre advises people to take part in mindful meditation in order to stay healthy mentally when experiencing tinnitus.
Mr Willhide said: “On one hand, I feel like other people forget about it because it can’t be seen. On the other hand, I have a fear of becoming isolated because of it so, I try to just get on with my life – What else can I do?”
TINNITUS UK have specialised some of their support groups, as well as maintained their general group sessions.
One of these is the Musicians’ Tinnitus Support Group on Feb 8 at 7pm – 8:30pm. This is run by Oscar Cassidy – Tinnitus UK volunteer, musician, and researcher.
All of the TINNITUS UK events are free, and many of them are online accessible.
To access any of the support mentioned, please follow the links:
https://tinnitus.org.uk/support-for-you/what-can-i-do/self-help-tips/
A confidential freephone tinnitus helpline – 0800 018 0527
