Learn more about tinnitus this February

From 7^th until 13^th February the British Tinnitus Association is aiming to raise as much awareness as they can about the condition which is thought to affect around 20% of the population.

Tinnitus is a fairly common hearing condition where the sufferer experiences noises in one or both of their ears. The British Tinnitus Association is an independent charity that supports the thousands of people living in Britain who experience tinnitus and every year, during Tinnitus Week, they work to raise awareness of the condition. This year, to mark the start of the week, they will be launching their latest episode of That Tinnitus Podcast, as well as providing a range of resources to help the public gain a better understanding of tinnitus and how it effects people on a daily basis.

During the week, the team at the British Tinnitus Association will be sharing their own experiences and encouraging others to do the same, as well as raising money for research and possible preventative methods.

To get you started, we’ve answered some of the common questions surrounding tinnitus below.  

What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus is usually characterised by a ringing sound in one or both ears, but actually there is more to it than that. Tinnitus can also be buzzing, hissing, whistling or other sounds which can be constant or intermittent. The noises have no external source and can vary in volume and duration.
Did you know there are different types of tinnitus? Musical tinnitus is when you experience hearing music that isn’t actually being played, those with this type of tinnitus typically features short fragments of melodies that you are familiar with.
Pulsatile tinnitus usually follows the same rhythm as your heart beat and has been linked to the changes in blood flow in vessels near the ear.

Is tinnitus an illness?

The technical answer is no. Tinnitus is a symptom caused by an underlying condition rather than something that you can catch or pass on.

What causes tinnitus?

There are several reasons why someone might develop tinnitus and they are always connected with an existing, underlying condition. For instance, some people who are suffering with hearing loss or other hearing conditions may develop tinnitus, while others will have perfectly fine hearing but may have a condition like diabetes or a thyroid condition. Tinnitus has been noted in patients with depression and anxiety  and sometimes it can be brought on by certain medications.

Are there treatments?
Yes, the NHS offers several different treatments to help you live with tinnitus including CBT which can help reduce any anxiety associated with the noises or help you focus on other things while you are experiencing tinnitus. There are also tinnitus counselling and tinnitus retraining therapy which are known to help some people with symptoms. The British Tinnitus Associations have a range of resources and support available for anyone who would like more information.

Did you know the lead character in the film Baby Driver has tinnitus? During the film, he uses music to help him concentrate and block out the ringing in his ears, which is one of the ways those with the condition can help manage it.

You can find out more about tinnitus and how to get involved in this year’s Tinnitus Week by visiting the British Tinnitus Association here.