British national charity RNID reported in July that 15 percent of persons surveyed – which equates to more than seven million people across the United Kingdom – have experienced tinnitus for more than a day. These figures represent an increase of more than two million over former survey results from the Medical Research Council. RNID also reported that only 30 percent of general healthcare practitioners have had any training on tinnitus.
The research results were announced in conjunction with a new RNID online service, www.tuneouttinnitus.org.uk, providing information to help people with tinnitus understand the condition and learn about simple techniques and equipment to manage it.
RNID is calling for general practitioners to take a holistic approach to patients with tinnitus, directing those with mild tinnitus to RNID for help and referring those whose conditions are severly impacting their lives to an ear, nose and throat specialist.
Brian Lamb, RNID’s director of communications, says: “Tinnitus can be a debilitating condition for many people, leaving them feeling isolated and stressed – with sometimes disastrous consequences for their work and personal lives. This can be compounded by a lack of understanding amongst general practitioners who aren’t always aware of how to help patients manage their tinnitus and may simply turn them away with no advice other than to ‘learn to live with it.’”
RNID’s new Web service and dedicated tinnitus helpline (for UK residents), provide tips and assurance that people suffering with tinnitus are not alone.
For more, visit www.rnid.org.uk.
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