Latest news with #tinnitus
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Health
- The Guardian
Learning to live with the torture of tinnitus
One night, I heard a dripping tap. I asked my husband to check all the taps – upstairs bathroom, downstairs toilet, the kitchen. He assured me there were no dripping taps. He refused to check again. We argued. I checked. I desperately wanted to find the source of the noise. Nothing. What was that sound? Where was it coming from? I tried to ignore it. Then I was told. My husband, a GP, explained – calmly, with all the understanding he could muster – that I had tinnitus, like Lara Williams (A moment that changed me: on the day of my first book deal, a mysterious hum overcame me, 6 August). How did I get it? Where had it come from? He couldn't tell me. 'It just comes,' he said. I hated him. I didn't sleep at all that night, nor the night after. The noise was unbearable. On the third night, I remember standing on the landing, crying. I was filled with rage. Then my son, David, came to the rescue. He put his headphones on my head, and a beautiful sound replaced the racket in my ears. It was How Deep Is Your Love by the Bee Gees. Tears still streamed down, but I began to feel a sense of calm. I stopped hearing the awful noise. I listened to the Bee Gees, Puccini and Chopin. I listened myself to sleep. I taught myself relaxation techniques. But when the noise becomes unbearable, then I need all my techniques – music, poetry etc – to calm down and ignore the falling bombs, the dripping tap, the loud drums. It's hard. But I can do it. And I want to tell people who suffer from this terrible condition: accept it. Forget the anger. Don't ask why. Don't think you've been punished. You haven't. Just learn to cope with it as best as you Ursi AmesburyBristol I have suffered with tinnitus for nearly 10 years, following an incident of uncontrolled loud music in a badly run venue. The resulting damage ended my musical performance and teaching career, and left me in a state of grief that will be with me until the day I die. While it is true to say that habituation does occur in time, it is no substitute for not damaging one's hearing in the first place. Even though I am as habituated as I can ever expect to be, the tinnitus still dominates my life and activities. It impairs my sleep, and makes socialising difficult and listening to or making music impossible. I urge gig-goers, venues and musicians to take great care, because to wake up one day and realise that irreparable damage has been done to such a precious part of being human is devastating yet avoidable. I also encourage anyone affected to visit the Tinnitus UK ParishLancaster Why has there been virtually no progress on 'fixing' tinnitus? Lara Williams elucidates the desperation we all go through when acute tinnitus sets in. Her 'acceptance' of the sensory handicap as the only path to coping with the condition mirrors my experience. However, that doesn't always work. Other anxieties can derail our blocking. Then we have to build up the resilience all over again. It can be an exhausting WoodinHitchin, Hertfordshire Tinnitus is exhausting, painful and isolating. At my first self‑help group, a gentle old lady told me she heard it as the angels urging her to carry on. Mine sounded more like a wasp trapped in a tin mug – but perhaps Lara Williams might find the angels version comforting?Ian GarnerOxenhope, West Yorkshire I read with empathy Lara Williams' article describing the onset of tinnitus. Sudden onset in adulthood must be very distressing. In my case it has been lifelong (I'm 76), and I only gradually became aware of it in my youth. She describes hearing something between an electronic hiss and the roar of the ocean; my symptoms are similar. I don't remember a specific onset, except that in adolescence I once or twice asked if anyone else heard high-pitched sounds from the TV and no one did. I didn't have access to the kind of professional help Williams consulted, but seemingly came to the same conclusion. It's there, part of me that isn't going away; fighting against myself is futile. Letting go of the idea that this is something that shouldn't be happening works better. Should and shouldn't have nothing to do with it. It just is. Williams' analogy to snowfall is beautiful and illuminating. Paying full attention to the moment or engaging fully in activity helps to simply not notice the tinnitus, or at least not as much, depending on the perceived volume at the time. Or maybe, sometimes, it's just forgetting to hear the tinnitus while listening to the silence. Bryan T DavisCedar Rapids, Iowa Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Could the ringing in your ears be trying to tell you that you're at risk of going blind, deaf or have cancer?
DO you hear ringing, buzzing or hissing in your ears for no apparent reason? Once considered an 'old person's condition', tinnitus is on the rise in all age groups. 3 By the end of 2025, more than eight million people are expected to be affected, according to Tinnitus UK. It accounts for over a million GP appointments annually, costing the NHS £750million – predicted to rise to £850m by December. It's sometimes more than a minor nuisance - the occasional ringing sound or sensitivity to loud noises. But one in six adults living with tinnitus are severely affected - with hearing loss, difficulty concentrating, insomnia and depression. Thankfully, it's not something you just have to put up with; there are treatments that can help. And while there's usually nothing serious going on medically, in some cases there may be an underlying cause that needs investigating. So, to work out which solutions are right for you, it's worth asking: could your tinnitus be trying to tell you something? 1. Your tinnitus started after working in a noisy environment ALONG with ageing, noise exposure is a leading cause of hearing loss, and sometimes tinnitus is the first thing people notice. 'When around loud noise, to protect itself, the ear has the ability to stiffen the bones in the middle ear, which reduces the ear's sensitivity,' Gordon Harrison, chief audiologist at Specsavers, tells Sun Health. I thought the ringing in my ears was tinnitus but the truth was far more sinister - everyone must get checked 'For a short period, with this reduced sensitivity, people often report noticing tinnitus for the first time. 'However, the ear will generally return to normal sensitivity and the tinnitus is likely to reduce.' Over extended periods of time though, hair cells in the inner ear can become permanently damaged. 'In the absence of an external noise source due to a reduced ability to hear, many people report that they can hear other noises, such as ringing or buzzing,' says Harrison. Avoiding too much exposure and protecting your ears in loud environments reduces the risk. Mr Harrison adds: 'As soon as you notice any ringing or noise in the ears, or other changes to your hearing, you should contact an audiologist at your local opticians to get your hearing checked for free, or contact your local GP.' 2. Your tinnitus is in time with your heartbeat It could be saying: you've got pulsatile tinnitus and should see a doctor 'PULSATILE tinnitus is a rarer form, where people hear sounds (such as whooshing, rushing or thumping) in time with their heartbeat,' says Mr Harrison. 'You can experience it in one or both ears. 'Compared to 'normal' tinnitus, it's more likely that an exact cause can be identified. 'Most cases are caused by a change to the blood flow of the vessels near the ear, in the neck or head. 'This can happen for several reasons, including: strenuous exercise, pregnancy, certain medications or severe iron deficiency (anaemia), which can cause an increase in blood flow around the body; an irregular-shaped blood vessel; or a condition called atherosclerosis, which occurs when the artery clogs up with fatty substances and stops blood flowing smoothly. 3 'Other causes include benign or idiopathic intracranial hypertension, which is when the pressure inside your head is raised and can lead to headaches, sight problems and pulsatile tinnitus.' Pulsatile tinnitus can also occur due to cancerous and benign tumours in the head or neck. Scans can be used to confirm a diagnosis or rule out anything serious. If you are concerned, speak to your GP. 3. Your tinnitus is accompanied by fatigue It could be saying: your sleep needs some TLC ONE in eight Brits say they feel 'tired all the time', according to a YouGov survey. Many of these people might have tinnitus, as sleep problems are common in those with the condition. 'At night, when quiet, the brain is actively searching for things to listen to,' says Dr James Jackson, a chartered psychologist and member of Tinnitus UK's scientific advisory board. 'So, it's only natural for it to focus on incoming tinnitus, and by concentrating on this, the tinnitus appears louder. 'It's a frustrating cycle but one that can get better.' What else your ears can reveal about your health By Isabel Shaw, Health Reporter IT turns out ears do a lot more than help us hear. From what creased lobes mean for your ticker, to how wax could be a warning sign of deadly cancer - ears are able to reveal a lot about the state of your health. 1. HEART DISEASE If you're under 60 and have a diagonal crease across the earlobe, you could be at greater risk of coronary heart disease (CAD). The unusual warning, dubbed Frank's sign, has been seen on the likes of Steven Spielberg and George W Bush. 2. HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE Suffering from infuriating tinnitus could indicate blood pressure issues. The common hearing problem is not usually a sign of anything serious and may get better by itself, but it could mean you have high blood pressure. 3. FUNGAL INFECTION Itchy ears might indicate the presence of a fungal infection. When Aspergillus causes a fungal ear infection, you may see yellow or black dots and fuzzy white patches in your ear canal. If Candida is the culprit, you might see a thick and creamy white discharge coming from your ear. Other symptoms include earache, flaky skin around the ear canal, headaches, tinnitus and hearing loss. 4. BREAST CANCER Some earwax is normal and beneficial; the yellow stuff prevents bugs and dirt from entering the ear canals. But earwax with a wet and sticky texture is not normal. And some studies suggest wet wax might be sign of a mutation on the ABCC11 gene, which can increase your chances of developing breast cancer. 5. RED EARS SYNDROME Spending too long in the sun and even getting embarrassed can turn the ears red - but so can suffering from red ear syndrome (RES), which causes the lobes to burn and ache. It can also spread from your lobes to your cheeks, jaw, or back of your head. 6. KIDNEY DISEASE Ears that have a few skin tags - small, fleshy growths - may indicate the presence of kidney disease. A study published in the British Medical Journal suggests this is especially the case for newborn babies. 'Managing tinnitus accompanied by fatigue can be challenging,' adds Sonja Jones, a clinical audiologist and also a member of Tinnitus UK's scientific advisory board. As well as seeking professional support if you're struggling, she recommends trying self-help methods. 'A consistent sleep schedule regulates the body's internal clock and promotes better rest,' she adds. 'Create a relaxing bedtime routine and ensure your sleeping environment is quiet, dark, and comfortable. 'Something that's really important is minimising screen time before bed. 'Exposure to the blue light emitted by electronic devices can interfere with the body's production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep, making it harder to fall asleep and achieve a restful night's sleep. 'Switch off electronic devices at least one hour before bedtime.' 'Sound therapy' – via white noise machines and various apps - can also be great for helping you drift off. 'Background noise, such as white noise, nature sounds, or soft music, can help distract you from your tinnitus and create a soothing environment,' Ms Jones says. 'And during the day, engage in physical activities like walking, swimming or yoga, to boost energy levels, improve mood, and manage tinnitus symptoms - though always consult a healthcare professional before starting a new exercise regimen. 'A well-balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins provides essential nutrients for maintaining energy levels and supporting overall health. 'Limit caffeine, alcohol and sugar intake. 'Although self-help strategies may not eliminate tinnitus or fatigue entirely, they can make symptoms more manageable and improve overall quality of life.' 4. Your tinnitus is impacting your work and personal life It could be saying: you need some mental health support 'TINNITUS goes hand in hand with anxiety, depression, sleep deprivation, and emotional exhaustion,' says Dr Jackson, who has tinnitus and profound hearing loss himself. 'For a small percentage of individuals with tinnitus, quality of life plummets. 'As a psychologist, it's all about your appraisal of your tinnitus; the more worried you are, the worse it is. 'Anything realistic to reduce anxiety and stress will be beneficial.' 3 Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can sometimes help, and Jones suggests adopting the same self-help techniques that can address sleep and fatigue. 'Stay connected with friends and family for emotional support and to combat feelings of isolation,' she adds. 'While it's natural to be worried, it's important to know that there are things you can do. 'Do seek professional support - consult a doctor, audiologist, or therapist for additional guidance and tailored treatment options. 'Reach out to Tinnitus UK for more information via its website or helpline.' 5. Your tinnitus spikes when you're stressed It could be saying: it's time to listen to your body WHILE stress doesn't cause tinnitus, it can 'trigger' symptoms and make them seem worse – similar to what's going on when your sleep and mental wellbeing are impacted. Dr Jackson knows how tricky this can be, but he now sees it as a reminder to keep his stress levels in check. 'You can learn to manage this,' he says. 'There was a time when my own tinnitus would 'spike' and I would be convinced that that day – or week – was now ruined. "But now, I see this as my body telling me that I need to take a break. So, it's a kindness, not a burden. 'Some people can change their thinking more easily than others. But support is there, though the Tinnitus UK helpline, support groups, and online. 'It does become easier, and it won't always be like this.' or call the free Tinnitus UK helpline on 0800 018 0527 (Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm). 'I want to rip my ears off sometimes, says Jamie Laing By Callum Wells, Showbiz Reporter MADE in Chelsea star Jamie Laing was diagnosed with tinnitus almost a decade ago. He admits that there are times when he wants to "rip his ears off". Jamie said: "I haven't heard silence for eight years. "The very first time I ever heard tinnitus, I woke up one morning and I got out of bed, and I could hear this ringing noise - this whooshing, ringing noise and I was thinking, looking around, thinking, 'Where the hell is this noise coming from?' "Then it suddenly dawned on me that it was inside my own mind, inside my head. "That, for anyone who has ever experienced tinnitus, is a really scary moment. "You cannot imagine how debilitating it is. You think you're never going to sleep again; you think you're never going to hear anything again apart from this ringing. "I've had this awful, constant ringing in my ears for about eight years now and over time I've managed to find ways to ignore, deal or come to terms with it. "But occasionally it lifts its evil head; it's like an alarm bell ringing in my head (shout out to fellow sufferers). "The past couple of days it's been that alarm. It's almost hard to focus on anything else - a nightmare, yes! "It is, however, good to listen to it and use it as an alarm - perhaps you're tired, stressed, anxious maybe. "But listening to it helps. Instead of seeing it as your enemy, try to see it as your friend trying to tell you something, so that's what I'm trying to do. "The reason I'm writing this is because when it's this loud (and it's LOUD) it helps so much more talking about it. "I hope this message connects with someone else dealing with it badly today, this week, this month or the whole time."
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Young music fans who regularly attend live shows ignoring risk of hearing loss
Young people who regularly go to live music events are at risk of suffering permanent hearing loss, a charity has warned. A survey of 2,000 adults found that more than half of respondents aged between 18 and 28 reported hearing loss, the ear-ringing condition tinnitus or both after attending a festival, gig or going to a nightclub. The report by the Royal National Institute For Deaf People (RNID) warns that while these symptoms are normally temporary, long-term exposure can cause permanent damage. Despite three-quarters of respondents being aware of a risk of hearing damage when exposed to noisy venues, 35 per cent said they do not plan to wear hearing protection such as earplugs at live music events this year. More than 18 million people in the UK are thought to be either deaf, hard of hearing or suffer from tinnitus. Research shows that prolonged exposure to sounds louder than 85 decibels – roughly the same as a food blender – can trigger hearing damage. However, the music at many live venues and nightclubs can often reach more than 100 decibels. Experts say that more than 15 minutes of exposure to noise this loud will likely lead to some level of permanent hearing loss. The RNID has also warned that young people are more likely to be exposed to unsafe levels of noise through headphones. Those who wear headphones in the presence of background noise, such as during a commute, are most at risk. The charity says this risk can be reduced by ensuring the volume is below 60 per cent. Franki Oliver, audiology manager at RNID, said: 'There is growing concern that headphone use, both by over-ear headphones and in-ear buds, could risk permanent damage, especially if people aren't aware of the risks.'
WIRED
5 days ago
- WIRED
Ceretone's Revamped Core One Pro Hearing Aids Are a Blunt Instrument
To control volume, the hearing aids have to be seated in the included case—a traditional, compact device that provides 80 hours of additional charge. Two buttons—one for each aid—cycle the device through six volume levels. An LED display situated between the two hearing aids indicates the volume setting for each one as it is adjusted. (Having one volume meter for two devices is a little confusing, so it's important to remember it only shows the status for the most recently adjusted hearing aid.) The case also includes a small indicator that shows the hearing program setting for each aid, of which there are now four: standard, restaurant, outdoor, and tinnitus-masking, all self-explanatory. (Note that I did not test the tinnitus masking mode, as I don't suffer from the condition.) These modes can be cycled through by tapping the device twice while it's in your ear, and as with adjusting the volume, each ear is controlled individually. It's strange (and inconvenient) to have to control mode and volume via two different methods, and always one ear at a time, but if you rarely change your hearing aids' volume level, it may not be that much trouble. Ineffective Aids Photograph: Chris Null The bigger problem with the Core One Pro hearing aids is that, as with the Core One, they just aren't all that effective. Since the aids aren't tunable, there is no way to customize them based on your audiogram, which means that all frequencies get boosted upward, more or less. This was immediately noticeable in my testing as lower-level frequencies were amplified far more than I needed, causing everything from footsteps to running water to be uncomfortably loud, and painfully so if I turned the volume up past level three (of six total settings). I also found a steady stream of hiss underlying everything, though this was at least mitigated at the lowest volume levels. Over time, at anything over volume level one, the Ceretone Core One Pro hearing aids were more distracting than beneficial, though there's no denying the amplification power they have. At higher volume levels, the hearing aids were downright deafening. They're also not as comfortable for long-term wear as the original Core One, though this probably had more to do with the eartips, which are a little rough around the edges, than the design of the hearing aid hardware itself. As with the original Core One, I'm not entirely sure who these hearing aids are designed for, even at a quite reasonable price of $390. (List price is $700, for what it's worth.) Without any tunability features, users are getting a very blunt audio experience that prioritizes brute amplification over everything instead of helping them better hear the sounds they want to hear.
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Health
- The Guardian
A moment that changed me: on the day of my first book deal, a mysterious hum overcame me
I developed tinnitus the same night I was offered my first book deal at the end of 2014. I'd received the news late-afternoon, then went out for cocktails with two friends to celebrate. I remember the evening well: we'd gone somewhere loud but not too loud; I ordered a fluorescent orange drink that I didn't enjoy. Before I went to bed, I spoke to my boyfriend on the phone. 'This could really change your life,' he said. Sometime in the early hours of the following morning, I woke up with a ringing in my ears that has not gone away since. Tinnitus often appears out of nowhere. Some describe it as like standing next to the engine of a plane, or caught within a colony of flying bats. The sound I woke with wasn't so bad: a sort of midpoint between the hiss of television static and the roar of the ocean. At first I thought it must have been coming from my phone, which was usually inches away from my face as I slept. I then searched my room for malfunctioning electronics, before realising with bracing horror that the noise was coming from inside my brain. The condition can be divided into three categories: subjective tinnitus (the perception of sound where there is none); objective tinnitus (where there is a sound within or close to the ear that another person can sometimes hear); and somatic tinnitus, which worsens with body movement. Mine was the former: a phantom sound. Little is known about what causes it, but one theory is that loud sounds damage the hairs in the cochlea, flattening them like stems of corn after a storm. The hairs normally pick up sounds and, without them, the brain seeks out sounds from other parts of the ear, sending back signals that translate to a perpetual illusory hum. I'd spent many years going to loud concerts and playing drums in a band, only occasionally protecting my hearing with earplugs. I started to blame myself. The first few days felt long and hard. It seemed absurd to be so troubled by what is basically an annoying sound, but its inescapability and totality was maddening. The world was suddenly bifurcated into quiet spaces, in which I had nothing to mask the tinnitus, and loud spaces, which threatened to damage my hearing further. I couldn't stop catastrophising: 'I will never hear silence again. I will always be too distracted to write. I will be driven mad by loud sounds.' I became anxious and, like 21% of tinnitus patients, I developed suicidal thoughts. My GP was unsympathetic, telling me it would not go away but I would get used to it – and no, I couldn't have any Valium. A few days before Christmas, I went to stay with my boyfriend's parents for the first time. Ironically, there were copies of the Max Ehrmann poem Desiderata all over the house – printed off in the guest room, hanging beside the bathroom sink. It was one of his mum's favourites; she identified strongly with the message: 'Go placidly amid the noise … remember what peace there may be in silence.' I read online studies about tinnitus compulsively. I discovered advice to seek out quiet spaces in which I could place my hands over my ears to get a measure of whether it was getting any better or worse. But this only exacerbated my nerves. On New Year's Day, I couldn't stop crying; I felt stuck in an abject state of misery and panic. I began hypnotherapy, hoping I could trick my brain into not hearing the never-ending noise. My hypnotherapist told me this was not how it worked. Instead, she tried to teach me how to separate my feelings of anxiety from the sounds in my ears, and how to relax; sending me away with audio files of women whispering about the sea. I began sleeping to the sound of brown noise – named after 'Brownian motion', the random movement of particles in a liquid – replacing one hum with another. I practised progressive muscle relaxation, my antidepressants kicked in and I began the long process of habituation – learning to tune out the unwanted, unstoppable sound. Just over a month after I first developed tinnitus, I was on holiday in Brasov, Transylvania – a 30th-birthday present from my sister and mum. Towards the end of the trip, the three of us were walking through the mountains, and when I looked back I realised I couldn't see either of them. I was surrounded only by recently settled snow. There was something about the white of the snow and the ringing in my ears that felt equivalent; blank and unintimidating, somehow. Tinnitus is often described as white noise, but white is achromatic – a colour that isn't really a colour. I knew then that I'd make peace with this sound that isn't really a sound, my new version of silence. That was a decade ago, and these days I've learned to accept and adjust. I'd railed so violently against my tinnitus, and achieved nothing. Now I acknowledge what I cannot change, and it doesn't bother me at all. In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@ or jo@ In the US, you can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988, chat on or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. This article was amended on 6 August 2025 to correct the quotation from Max Ehrmann's poem Desiderata.
