Tinnitus Compensation

Tinnitus compensation is one of the areas What's My Deafness Claim Worth specialise in, with over a third of adults experiencing the symptoms at some point in their lives. If your tinnitus is due to working in a noisy environment then it is likely you are eligible to make a claim for tinnitus compensation. See our guide below and learn more about tinnitus and if you have the symptoms.

 

What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus (from the latin meaning “ringing”) is the medical term for any noise that people hear in one or both ears in the absence of any external sound.   The way in which people experience tinnitus varies enormously – the perceived loudness can be anything from a whisper to a roar; it can be either constant or intermittent.   It is normally described as a ringing sound, however, some people will hear other sounds such as buzzing, humming, whistling, tunes or even songs.

Tinnitus is quite common and can occur at any age.   A third of all adults report some tinnitus.  It is rarely linked to any serious problem and people usually learn to manage it.

Causes of Tinnitus

Now we've answered the question 'what is tinnitus?', we need to explain the causes, as there are a number of different causes of tinnitus.  It can be linked to exposure to loud noise, hearing loss, ear or head injuries, ear infections, diseases of the ear, or emotional stress.   It can also be a side effect of medication or a combination of all of these things.

Some of the known causes of tinnitus include:

• Ear infections

If you have an ear infection it can cause discomfort and tinnitus and may lead to hearing loss, especially if it is left untreated. It is important to visit your GP, who will be able to treat the infection.

• Noise exposure

There is a lot of evidence to connect continued exposure to noise with hearing loss and tinnitus. Loud sounds can damage your hearing, especially if you listen to them for hours at a time. 

Make sure your employer monitors the amount of noise you are exposed to at work to ensure you are not exposed to levels above the limits set out in the Noise at Work Regulations 2006.

• Stress

Although stress cannot cause tinnitus, it can make it worse.   Tinnitus in itself can make you feel stressed.  Stress management can be an effective way of dealing with tinnitus. 

• Medication

Medication that may be damaging to hearing is described as being “ototoxic”.    There are very few ototoxic drugs and they are usually prescribed for serious or life threatening conditions.  In those cases, the seriousness of the condition outweighs the risk of damage to hearing .  Where ototoxic medication is prescribed, patients are usually strictly monitored.

Even if tinnitus is identified as a possible side effect this does not mean that all patients will develop the condition.   Everyone reacts differently.    It is also important to remember that the condition for which the medication has been prescribed may cause the tinnitus to become worse or the added stress of having the condition, rather than the medication itself.

  

If you have any queries about the medication you are taking, or if you feel it is causing your tinnitus to become worse then you should consult your pharmacist or GP for advice.  Do not change the dose of any medication you are taking, or stop taking it, without the agreement of your GP.

 

Is there any Treatment available?

If you have any concerns about your hearing or if your tinnitus is becoming persistent, you should see your GP.   Usually, the GP will arrange a referral to an audiologist or the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) unit at the hospital.   A specialist will conduct a hearing test to determine whether the problem is linked to hearing loss.  Although tinnitus has no simple ‘cure’, there are strategies for reducing its impact.