Tinnitus is common, affecting one in seven of us. Many people do not find their tinnitus bothersome, but some people can find it intrusive or even distressing.

Tinnitus is when you hear a buzzing, ringing, hissing, whistling or other sound, but it’s not caused by something around you. It can be heard in one ear, both ears or in your head.

If you think you have tinnitus, a good place to start is the TinnitusUK website.

TinnitusUK has information on understanding and living with tinnitus, plus tips on managing tinnitus so it becomes less of an issue day-to-day. There are easy to watch videos and advice from others who experience tinnitus. TinnitusUK has excellent information leaflets including:

  • living with tinnitus
  • self-help and tinnitus
  • stress and tinnitus
  • sleep and tinnitus
  • sound enrichment and tinnitus
  • hyperacusis and sound sensitivity.

Often, understanding your tinnitus and introducing strategies to manage it, such as those discussed by TinnitusUK, will be a real benefit to how you experience your tinnitus. There may not be a cure, but it will generally reduce as an issue.  

At Dorset audiology we have a team of audiologists and a hearing therapist who specialise in tinnitus. They’ll be able to help you manage bothersome tinnitus using a variety of methods, such as information counselling, sound therapy, ways to relax and wellbeing/stress management advice.

Hearing aids can be beneficial for people who have tinnitus with an associated hearing loss. The audiologist or hearing therapist will be able to talk this through with you, depending on your hearing test results. 

To be seen by one of the team you’ll need a referral from your GP or from an ear, nose and throat (ENT) consultant. 

For more information on tinnitus take a look at the NHS tinnitus page.