Tinnitus Awareness Week - February 5-10
Tinnitus is the medical term for the sensation of hearing noise in the ears or head that does not have an external source. It affects approximately 430k people in Ireland, with between 30k to 60k of those suffering severely.
Major advances have been made in treating tinnitus in recent years. It can be cured in some but, for most, treatment options are aimed at reducing the volume and managing tinnitus related distress. This is the crucial message of Tinnitus Awareness Week.
The most recent European statistics (published in the Lancet Nov 2021) for the prevalence of tinnitus in each country puts Ireland at 8.6% of the total population suffering from tinnitus and 0.6% of those suffering severely (which is half the European average). Since COVID-19 those numbers have risen.
In Cavan, almost 7,000 people are recorded as having Tinnitus, with almost 500 reporting severe symptoms.
What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a complex disorder. However, in 90% of cases hearing loss is the primary cause. Our hearing systems are linked to parts of the brain, which deal with emotion, causing us to profoundly react to sounds, especially those that we perceive as noticeable or meaningful. Most people who experience tinnitus are not overly bothered by it but, for some, it can have a significant impact on their quality of life. Tinnitus can lead to anxiety, depression and mental health problems. It may interfere with sleep, concentration and mood.
Understanding and reassurance from the outset is essential. To know what tinnitus is, that it is common, that it may resolve by itself, that it is not commonly associated with underlying physical problems and that there are a variety of management strategies to help, is very important.
For anyone experiencing symptoms, even if they are mild, a visit to your GP and Audiologist is essential. Those living in the North East of Ireland are fortunate to have leading tinnitus specialists based here with clinics in Kingscourt, Dundalk and Drogheda. Ear Care Clinics have advanced clinical processes and have even developed their own technology for tinnitus calming and control. They can even boast some complete cures. They promise that 80% of those who attend for an evaluation can experience their tinnitus being lowered or even eliminated during their first consultation.
Such is their confidence in the Ear Care Clinics processes, British Tinnitus Association executives and Widex UK management (a world leading hearing technology corporation) refer patients to attend Ear Care Clinics’ director of audiology, Frank McGrath, for assessment. Frank is currently finalising an article on tinnitus treatment for publication in medical journals this summer with co-author Dr Pat Harrold, University of Limerick School of Medicine and with contributions from Tony Kerr, president of the British Tinnitus Association (ex-officio). Their objective is to raise awareness of tinnitus generally but particularly to promote the use of the phrase: “For some, there is a cure for tinnitus and for most, there is significant, immediate and effective long-term help available. Go book an appointment with an audiologist.”
CONTACT US
For more information or to make an appointment you can contact Ear Care Clinics by phone at 041-9835510 or via their web site www.earcareclinics.ie
The Cavan clinic is in Kingscourt on Main Street and there are also clinics in Dundalk and Drogheda.