Loud gunfire during the war

Eric Maggs, from Chester, has had tinnitus almost 60 years and puts it down to military service, where he was exposed to loud gun fire.

"I first experienced tinnitus following periods where I was exposed to loud gunfire during the war. I reported it at the time but was told that it would go away after a day or two. Instead, it has remained constant since then, and has increased in intensity over the years.

"I first saw my doctor regarding tinnitus and deafness about 1951 and was referred to a clinic where I saw a specialist. I had a heating test and was told I was deaf to high frequency notes. I told the specialist of my experience with tinnitus and suggested my military experience was the cause. He dismissed this out of hand as being 'impossible', but I was not convinced at the time, or since.

"I visited my GP again in the 1970s about my tinnitus and his reaction was initially rather negative. He did not consider it serious enough to need further action.

"I left it until about 1983 when I was diagnosed with Meniere's Disease. This can recur at intervals (rarely) for no apparent reason, but it is not usually a problem, but the tinnitus has increased."