Thursday 8 February, 2024 – Tinnitus UK, a leading independent charity that supports individuals coping with tinnitus in the United Kingdom, has released groundbreaking research highlighting the urgent need for improved healthcare support and services for those affected by this pervasive condition.
According to the charity, 1 in 7 adults in the UK suffers from tinnitus, and for 1 in 6 of those individuals, it significantly diminishes their quality of life.
The study conducted by Tinnitus UK in December 2023 involved 478 people with tinnitus to understand their experiences and the challenges they face in accessing healthcare support. The results were alarming:
– Over 20% of respondents had thoughts of suicide or self-harm in the last year.
– More than 80% reported low mood or anxiety, while 70% felt hopeless or helpless.
– 85.7% reported sleep disturbances.
– 68.4% had low self-esteem, and 54.9% struggled to think rationally.
Tinnitus not only affects mental health, but it also leads to social isolation, impacting relationships and daily life. Two-thirds of respondents reported avoiding contact with friends, minimizing social activities, or facing difficulties at work.
Despite the introduction of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines in March 2020, tinnitus sufferers still face significant challenges in accessing healthcare support. While half of the respondents managed to secure GP appointments within a week, 16% waited over a month. Referrals to secondary care decreased to 57.9%, and 11.7% were not offered a referral. Additionally, waiting times for secondary care appointments have increased, with one in six people waiting over a year, compared to 2019 when only 1 in 6 faced waits of more than 12 months.
Moreover, only 5% of patients were offered psychological interventions like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), highlighting the limited mental health support available.
In response to these distressing findings, Tinnitus UK is calling for immediate action:
– An evaluation of secondary care services and increased investment from commissioning bodies where necessary.
– Implementation of a standardized nationwide management model for tinnitus.
– Increased tinnitus education for medical professionals.
Maisie Carscadden, Head of Services at Tinnitus UK, stressed the urgent need for action, saying, “We have noticed an increase in people reaching out to us for support with the mental health struggles triggered by tinnitus. Their situations are often complex, and they face barriers in accessing the services they need. While we provide guidance and support, many of these individuals require specialized care from health professionals, which is often lacking. We are dedicated to doing our part, but there needs to be collective efforts to bridge this gap and ensure everyone receives the care they deserve.”
James Jackson, Reader in Psychology at Leeds Trinity University, also emphasized the need for timely interventions, saying, “While most people will eventually adjust to their tinnitus, it can be very distressing in the short-to-medium term, if not longer. It has significant effects on medical health and wellbeing, resulting in emotional exhaustion, clinical anxiety, clinical depression, and insomnia. It is vital that people have access to timely interventions to minimize the impact on their quality of life.”
For media inquiries, please contact:
Joanna March
Head of Brand and Communications
joanna@tinnitus.org.uk
0114 250 9933
Available for interview:
Nic Wray, author of the report
nic@tinnitus.org.uk
0114 250 9933
Dr. James Jackson, Chartered Psychologist, Reader in Psychology, Leeds Trinity University, and tinnitus researcher
Case studies from around the UK who can share their own personal stories of living with tinnitus.
About Tinnitus UK:
Tinnitus UK is an independent charity dedicated to providing information and support for individuals living with tinnitus in the United Kingdom. The charity plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life for those affected by this condition by offering online and in-person support groups, a helpline with a chatbot and live webchat, and an informative website.
Tinnitus UK does not receive any direct government funding and is committed to educating both medical professionals and the wider community about tinnitus, advocating prevention, and working towards finding a cure.
About tinnitus:
Tinnitus, characterized by hearing sounds such as ringing or buzzing without an external source, affects one in seven adults in the UK. While it can be a temporary annoyance for some, for others, it becomes a persistent and distressing condition.
For one in six people with tinnitus, the condition significantly affects their ability to lead a normal life. This proportion is considerably higher in those who contact Tinnitus UK for support. Tinnitus disrupts home, work, and social life, leading to significant associated societal and healthcare costs.
The annual healthcare costs related to tinnitus in the UK amount to £750 million, with an
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