Ex-DJ from Leamington Spa determined to beat tinnitus

19 May 2008

As a former DJ, Caren James was aware of the problems that exposure to loud noise can cause. Many of her colleagues in the media industry suffered from tinnitus, or a ‘ringing in the ears’, and Caren was determined to avoid this affliction by keeping the volume well down on her headphones at work. Despite her cautiousness, Caren was struck by tinnitus two years ago.

“I thought my awareness of tinnitus would be enough to succeed for me; I’d seen too many DJs turn up the volume to ‘feel the music’ and end up with tinnitus,” says Caren of Leamington Spa. “Working from my home studio, voicing TV and radio ads, I was as careful as I could be. The hum in my ears actually started after a particularly bad virus, so I wasn’t sure if that had caused the Tinnitus or if it was the result of my radio work.”

Caren was referred to a neurologist and to the local ENT (ears, nose and throat) department, where she had numerous head scans which produced negative results. “I was still no closer to finding out what had caused the tinnitus,” she adds.

Soon after, Caren moved house and saw the opportunity to consult a new GP in the hope of different advice. To her dismay, the doctor told her that “greater minds than ours have looked into this and found nothing,” and that tinnitus was “far beyond the realms of medical knowledge”. “The maddening thing was that private healthcare seemed the only option, my GP having made it clear that he could not help as he couldn’t find anything physical as a cause.”

When she is trying to concentrate, Caren uses a sound generator, a small device which produces its own sound to mask the tinnitus; and she switches on Classic FM to lull her to sleep. Caren is thankful for being one of the few tinnitus sufferers whose sleep hasn’t been affected by the illness and has avoided the sleeping pills and antidepressants that many sufferers have succumbed to.

Instead, she has learnt to keep a positive outlook - her frame of mind is the strongest treatment available for Caren today. Still working as a voice artist, Caren wasn’t going to allow tinnitus prevent her from pursuing her dreams and live a normal life.” At first I was thinking I can’t live with this, I was conscious people would think I’m mad but I’ve learnt that a positive mind is the most important thing. If you allow yourself to take notice of the constant ringing it can easily sink you into depression. I do everything I can to fight it – learning how to ignore it is my greatest weapon in the fight against tinnitus.” This is how Caren tackles life with tinnitus at a time when “there doesn’t seem to be any lasting or successful treatment.”

Caren is committed to finding a treatment for her tinnitus and has asked to be referred to a different ENT department. “I’m determined not to let tinnitus beat me, and I hope one day that there will be a successful treatment to end it for good,” says Caren. “I want to know anything that’s new about tinnitus and I’m signed up to get regular newsletters from Deafness Research UK which tell me what research is being done, but if I have to live with it forever then so be it.”

Deafness Research UK is the country's only charity dedicated to finding new cures, treatments and technologies for the deaf, hard of hearing and other hearing impaired people including tinnitus sufferers like Caren.

Vivienne Michael, Chief Executive of Deafness Research UK, said: “Over six million people in the UK are affected by tinnitus and it can have a devastating effect on their quality of life. Not enough is known about this very complex condition and we are determined to do something about it.  We are committed to funding leading research and providing practical information to health professionals for the benefit of sufferers.”

‘Deafness Research UK has produced a useful guide called ‘Managing Tinnitus’.  To receive a copy telephone 0808 808 2222 or email .  For information on research into deafness and other hearing conditions, log on to the website, www.deafnessresearch.org.uk

ENDS

About tinnitus

Tinnitus describes the noises that some people hear 'in their ears' or 'in their head'. These noises can take many forms, with descriptions ranging from whistling, humming, and tissue paper rustling to kettles boiling. Some people hear their noises as tunes and melodies. The common factor with all these sounds is that they do not originate from an external source. Tinnitus is not a disease, but a symptom - like an ache in one of your joints or itching for no reason. Nearly all the causes are benign and in many cases tinnitus is a natural part of the ageing process. But, as decibel levels in today's environment rise, tinnitus is affecting increasingly younger people.

Noise is not the only cause of tinnitus, though can be a contributing or factor. Though more research needs to be carried out about the causes of tinnitus, medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and Basilar Artery Migraine are linked. A conservative estimate is that over six million people in the UK are affected by tinnitus. For over 3 million people - it has a significant effect on their quality of life and can be described as ‘moderately or severely annoying’.

For around 300,000 of these people it severely affects their ability to lead a normal life, and can be incredibly debilitating – leading to sleep deprivation and a total loss of any normal social life.

About Deafness Research UK

• Deafness Research UK is the country’s only charity dedicated to finding new cures, treatments and technologies for deaf, hard of hearing and other hearing impaired people.
• The charity supports high quality medical research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of all forms of hearing impairment including tinnitus.
• The Deafness Research UK Information Service provides free information and advice based on the latest scientific evidence and informed by leading experts. The Information Service can be contacted on Freephone 0808 808 2222
• Deafness Research UK was founded in 1985 by Lord and Lady Ashley of Stoke.
• For more information on research into deafness, tinnitus and other hearing conditions, log on to the website at www.deafnessresearch.org.uk where you can access a wide range of information. Alternatively you can e-mail Deafness Research UK at
• One in seven people in the UK – almost nine million people - suffer hearing loss.

Press enquiries

Jon Gardner, BeyondPR. Direct line 0114 275 6996. Mobile 07930 697773. e-mail:

Ref: DRUK0075 – Caren James