NHS failing tinnitus sufferers

12 September 2005

A study by the charity Deafness Research UK has shown that millions of patients suffering from tinnitus are being badly let down by the NHS. The research shows a disturbing lack of knowledge of the treatments that are available for this common and distressing condition.

Over four million people in the UK are affected by the noises in the head or ear known as tinnitus. The noises can vary in intensity from a low hum to noise levels equivalent to a jet engine and, not surprisingly, they often cause anxiety, lack of sleep and depression.

The new research shows that over three quarters (76%) of people who sought help from the NHS for their tinnitus had not received any of the generally accepted treatments. Almost a third were not even referred to a consultant by their GP.

Those GPs who were unwilling to refer their patients to a specialist also tended to be unsympathetic about their symptoms. Although guidelines issued to GPs emphasise that making negative remarks about tinnitus can actually worsen patients' symptoms, the research found that over half of these people were told, "there is no cure, you’ll have to live with it".

The research findings were announced at a launch of the charity’s campaign to educate tinnitus sufferers and health professionals about the treatment options available.

Launching the campaign, Deafness Research UK's Chief Executive, Vivienne Michael, said, "Sadly, this is not encouraging news for the millions of people who suffer from tinnitus. More than 300,000 people are so badly affected they cannot lead a normal life and yet, even though more treatments are now widely available, clearly many health professionals still consider tinnitus an untreatable condition and show little understanding of its impact on mental health."

Recognised treatments for tinnitus are sound generators, which produce a competing sound to help mask the tinnitus and psychological therapies based on retraining the brain to ignore the tinnitus noises.

However, the Deafness Research UK study showed that, even amongst those who managed to obtain a referral to a specialist, most failed to obtain treatment with only 12% being offered a masker and a mere 2.5% receiving psychological therapies.

Although tinnitus is often experienced in conjunction with a hearing loss and a hearing aid can help to reduce the perceived level of tinnitus as well as improving a person's hearing, only 23% were given a hearing aid by their specialist.

A new tinnitus information pack has been produced to coincide with the charity's campaign. Based on the most up-to-date research, it is designed to help people manage their tinnitus by giving them a better understanding of the condition and the various treatment options. The pack is available by calling the Deafness Research UK Information Service on 020 7679 8970, by emailing info@deafnessresearch.org.uk, or writing to Deafness Research UK, PO Box 49740, London, WC1X 8WU.

Notes to editors

• Deafness Research UK can provide and arrange interviews with people affected by tinnitus in most areas of the UK. For more information, contact the Deafness Research UK Media Office on 020 7837 8092.
• 501 tinnitus sufferers completed the Deafness Research UK survey by postal questionnaire or via the Deafness Research UK website between April and July 2005.
• Deafness Research UK was formerly known as Deafness Research UK. It changed its name on 12th September 2005.
• Deafness Research UK is the only national charity dedicated to supporting medical research into deafness and other hearing problems.

Media contact

Joanne Keane
Deafness Research UK Communications
Phone 020 7837 8092
Email joanne.keane@deafnessresearch.org.uk