Complete lifestyle change

Doug Markham, 54, from Shillington, Hertfordshire, has been suffering tinnitus for more than five years. He says his tinnitus is uncomfortable and often makes living a normal life difficult.

He feels that help from his ENT specialist has been minimal and not particularly useful in alleviating the symptoms.

"I was quite shocked when the consultant told me that I basically had to live with it. He prescribed me a nasal spray, but I don't think that helped in anyway.

"In the early days I got depressed and quite irritable. I would have the occasional panic attack, especially at night when it was quiet. Nowadays I take sleeping tablets just so I can get some rest. My wife has told me that I've changed, but thankfully she understands and supports me.

"My tinnitus sounds like a loud, constant whine. It was manageable until two years ago when after collapsing at work with a massive migraine attack, the volume of the tinnitus went right up.

"I think that periods of high blood pressure, stress and a high level of cholesterol may have contributed to the tinnitus. I have had brain scans and heart checks, just to rule out anything more serious, but no cause has been found.

"I have embarked upon a complete lifestyle change, which has not been easy; reducing my intake of alcohol and changing my diet. I also take medication to reduce the cholesterol. I hope that these measures combined will help reduce the tinnitus.

"Most of the time tinnitus is tiring and stressful, but I manage to deal with it. My biggest fear though, is that it will get louder again - then what will I do?"