Tinnitus and disability with ageing: Adaptation and management

Abstract

Although tinnitus is a common phenomenon, reported by up to 17% of the population, only 14% of those experiencing tinnitus find that it bothers them a great deal (OPCS 1983) (1). Tinnitus often becomes a complaint when its emotional or learned significance demands the constant attention of the listener (2). This significance is most commonly represented by the belief that the tinnitus sounds cannot be cured or controlled, that they will continue for ever getting louder, or that they hearld the onset of serious intracranial disease. The techniques of symptom control used in our tinnitus clinic since 1976 are discussed briefly, together with the role of counselling. Demographic data and results of treatment with respect to age are presented in a group of 472 tinnitus patients studied over three years. There is no relationship between age and subjective complaint or management outcome. Audiometric measurements of tinnitus correlate with hearing loss rather than with age. Somatic anxiety shows a slight increase with age in this population of tinnitus patients.