Tinnitus UK, a leading independent charity dedicated to supporting individuals who are coping with tinnitus in the UK has unveiled groundbreaking research which underscores the critical need for enhanced healthcare support and services for those affected by this pervasive condition.
Startling statistics reveal the harsh reality of the tinnitus landscape, impacting 1 in 7 adults in the UK and severely diminishing the quality of life for 1 in 6 of those individuals.
In December 2023, Tinnitus UK conducted a study involving 478 people who are afflicted by tinnitus to delve into their experiences and the challenges they encounter in accessing healthcare support for the condition.
The findings are distressing:
Over one in five respondents experienced thoughts of suicide or self-harm in the last year.
In excess of 8 out of 10 reported low mood or anxiety, with 7 out of 10 feeling hopeless or helpless.
85.7% reported sleep disturbances.
The emotional toll is significant, with 68.4% reporting low self-esteem and 54.9% struggling to think rationally.
Tinnitus is also linked to social isolation, impacting relationships and daily life, with two-thirds of respondents avoiding contact with friends, minimising social activities, or facing difficulties at work.
Despite National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines introduced in March 2020, substantial challenges still persist in healthcare support for tinnitus sufferers.
Half of respondents secured GP appointments within a week, but 16% had to wait for over a month.
Referrals to secondary care decreased to 57.9%, with 11.7% not even offered a referral.
Waiting times for secondary care appointments have increased, with the number of people waiting over a year tripling from 2019 to 2023, to 1 in 6 facing waits of in excess of 12 months.
Limited mental health support is available, with a shockingly low 5% offered Psychological Interventions such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
In response to these alarming findings, Tinnitus UK is calling for immediate action to be taken:
An evaluation of secondary care services and increased investment from commissioning bodies where necessary.
Implementation of a standardised national management model for tinnitus.
Increased tinnitus education for medical professionals.
Commenting on the urgent need for action, Tinnitus UK’s Head of Services, Maisie Carscadden, said: “There's been a noticeable increase in people reaching out to us who require support for the mental health struggles tinnitus has triggered.
"Their situation is often complex, and people are facing barriers accessing the services they need. We provide guidance, reassurance, and support to help them cope, but a significant number of these people require specialised care from health professionals.
"Unfortunately, the necessary resources are often lacking. Of course, we're dedicated to doing our part, but there needs to be collective efforts to bridge this gap and ensure everyone gets the care they need and that they deservedeserve.”
James Jackson, Reader in Psychology at Leeds Trinity University, added: “While most people will eventually habituate 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's really vital people have access to timely interventions to ensure the impact on their quality of life is minimised.”
To learn more about Tinnitus UK you can visit http://www.tinnitus.org.uk
As a personal note, I suffer from Tinnitus and it can be an extremely distressing condition.
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