Excessive noise in the workplace is to blame for tinnitus, according to tinnitus sufferers themselves. The new survey findings published by Deafness Research UK - the country’s leading authority on research into deafness and hearing conditions such as tinnitus – shows that almost 20% of tinnitus sufferers believe that their noisy working environment was the single most important factor in them developing tinnitus.
The survey is the first significant report on the causes of tinnitus to be published for more than two years, and marks the start of Deafness Research UK’s quest to build the UK’s largest tinnitus sufferer’s database. Almost 1,400 UK tinnitus sufferers took part in the survey which aims to pinpoint the most urgent areas of UK tinnitus research over the coming years.
When asked what they felt was the cause of their tinnitus, the respondents answered as follows:
Worked in a noisy environment 19.48%
In the armed forces
As a result of getting older 17.43%
Following ear or sinus infection
Loud music
Head or neck injury
Medication
No idea
Deafness Research UK is the leading charity dedicated to finding new forms of treatment for all forms of hearing impairment. Vivienne Michael, Chief Executive of Deafness Research UK, said: “These findings are important and highlight the need for much more research into tinnitus in general, but particularly in the field of occupational noise. Just as worrying is the fact that over 6% cited loud music as causing their tinnitus.
We know that an increasing number of people, particularly young people, are spending many hours a week listening to loud music on MP3 players or at nightclubs and that very few are aware of the potentially damaging effects this can have on their hearing.
”The good news is we are much closer to understanding tinnitus than we were a few years ago, however there is still much more to learn. Through further donations we plan to conduct the necessary research into tinnitus to offer people real hope in the not too distant future. We believe it’s now a case of when we fully understand tinnitus and how to treat it, rather than if.”
To take part in the ongoing survey and help Deafness Research UK find treatments and cures for tinnitus, tinnitus sufferers should log on to the ‘tinnitus survey’ on the Deafness Research UK website at www.deafnessresearch.org.uk
Significant survey findings will be published periodically by Deafness Research UK.
Kate Cook of Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, has had noises in her ears for about a quarter of a century. Five years ago, it became a constant distraction that she had to live with 24 hours a day. As she struggles to cope with tinnitus, the 41-year-old is struck by the lack of awareness, support and treatment for sufferers and believes there is a shortage of funding for research. Although Kate has learnt to live with her symptom on a day-to-day basis, she doesn’t go to pubs, clubs, bars, concerts or any other venues with loud sounds. She avoids exposing her children to them as well, although a trip to the cinema for kiddie films is an occasional exception. But afterwards, her ears ring and the tinnitus is more noticeable for the next few days.
It is estimated that over five million people in the UK are affected by tinnitus and it can have a devastating effect on their quality of life. Not enough information is available about the very complex symptoms and Deafness Research UK is determined to do something about it. The charity is committed to funding new research and providing practical information to health professionals for the benefit of sufferers.
For more information on tinnitus and research into deafness and other hearing conditions, log on to the website at www.deafnessresearch.org.uk where you can access a wide range of information.
People can call the Deafness Research UK freephone helpline on 0808 808 2222, or e-mail info@deafnessresearch.org.uk
