Tinnitus has 'devastating' effects

Tinnitus, which causes ringing and buzzing in people's ears, has a negative impact on the quality of sufferers' lives, research has found.

The Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) and the British Tinnitus Association (BTA) found that many of the 4.7 million people who suffer from the condition feel isolated.

Around 41 per cent said their condition had a negative effect on their relationships while a quarter said it reduced their sex drive.

Over 900 people took part in the online survey, which marks the launch of National Tinnitus Week.

Respondents said that the condition did not just affect their personal relationships, but their life at work too.

Almost a quarter of people said they thought the condition could affect their work prospects and had not told their colleagues about their condition.

Furthermore, workplace noise was blamed for the onset of tinnitus in 20 per cent of sufferers.

Ewart Davies, chairman of the BTA, said: "Although tinnitus is not life threatening, it can be very stressful and have an overwhelming affect on people's lives, as the survey results show.

"There are many ways to manage tinnitus, so the effect on people's lives can be greatly reduced."

As well as contacting the RNID and BTA, tinnitus sufferers are being urged to seek help from their doctor who can refer them to a specialist.

Although the condition cannot be cured, it can be managed by using sound therapy to distract people from the constant ringing sound.

© Adfero Ltd

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