The rise of Tinnitus
A recent (February, 2018) hearing loss survey of 2,000 adults commissioned by Oticon, which is a leader in advanced audiology and hearing aid technology, has revealed that more and more people are experiencing tinnitus.
Symptoms of tinnitus can include hearing a persistent noise in the ears or a ringing or buzzing sound. It can be a temporary or intermittent problem, but it can also develop into a permanent one.
Tinnitus is most commonly associated with damage caused by exposure to loud noise.
The survey revealed that the biggest effects of the hearing condition include lack of concentration, less alertness, stress and withdrawal from social situations. People can also find it tiring to concentrate on what people are saying and following conversations where lots of people are speaking.
Alison Stone, Training Manager and Audiologist at Oticon, said: “People with tinnitus are often more tired and can have more difficulty concentrating, especially if there is background noise in the environment. They are also more at risk of high anxiety, depression and irritation which affects their daily quality of life a great deal.
“It is important to highlight that tinnitus can sometimes be a symptom of a treatable medical condition, so it is crucial not to skip a visit with a medical doctor. We know that approximately 80% of those with hearing loss also suffer from tinnitus, and 80% of those with tinnitus also have some form of hearing loss. This large overlap makes tinnitus treatment very relevant for hearing aid wearers. So, if you are experiencing tinnitus symptoms then seek professional medical advice from your primary care doctor or an ENT consultant.”
No person with tinnitus has the same experience and no one solution works for everyone.
It is a hidden condition so can be difficult to spot if you’re caring for a loved-one. If the person you’re caring for has to regularly turn the TV or radio up or has problems hearing what people are saying and often asks people to repeat themselves, then they should book a hearing test straight away.
If you would like more information about managing hearing loss in the elderly, you can read out blog here. We also blogged about the importance of hearting tests for the elderly.
Thanks to Oticon for the information used.
