Phil Schofield reveals he suffers from tinnitus on This Morning
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
The NHS describes tinnitus as “the name for hearing noises that are not caused by sounds coming from the outside world”. Tinnitus sounds are known as “subjective” because only the person experiencing them can hear them.
What are the first signs?
Tinnitus can start suddenly, and usually sounds like one of the following:
- ringing
- buzzing
- whooshing
- humming
- hissing
- throbbing
- music or singing
Tinnitus can strike one or both ears, or just sound like it’s in your head.
The sounds may come and go, or you might hear them all the time.
While tinnitus can be annoying and worrying, the NHS said it’s “usually not a sign of anything serious”.
There are things you can do at home to help your tinnitus, but there are a few occasions when you’ll need to see a doctor.
Can tinnitus cause hearing loss?
Tinnitus can cause hearing loss, or be caused by hearing loss, according to the NHS.
If your tinnitus is causing you hearing loss, hearing aids may be recommended by your doctor.
Recently, singer KT Tunstall pulled out of all her summer gigs after telling fans she feared she may go deaf from the stress of lengthy touring.
The Scottish singer-songwriter disclosed that she had permanently lost the hearing in her left ear three years ago, after initially experiencing tinnitus.
In a post to her fans, she wrote: “After a recent run of consecutive shows and travel in July, I have experienced some issues with my right ear; a small amount of tinnitus – which is exactly how the breakdown of my left ear began.”
When to see a GP:
- You have tinnitus regularly or constantly
- Your tinnitus is getting worse
- Your tinnitus is bothering you – for example, it’s affecting your sleep or concentration, or is making You feel anxious and depressed
- You have tinnitus that beats in time with your pulse
When to call 999 or go to A&E:
- You have tinnitus after a head injury
- You have sudden hearing loss, weakness in the muscles of your face, or a spinning sensation (vertigo)
Things you can do to help your tinnitus
Tinnitus doesn’t have a cure, but there are things you can do to help:
- Try to relax – deep breathing or yoga may help
- try to find ways to improve your sleep, such as sticking to a bedtime routine or cutting down on caffeine
- Try to avoid things that can make tinnitus worse, such as stress or loud background noises
- Do not have total silence – listening to soft music or sounds (called sound therapy) may distract you from the tinnitus
- Do not focus on it, as this can make it worse – hobbies and activities may take your mind off it.
Source: Read Full Article
