Health COMMENT

TINNITUS is a distressing condition to live with because, as Martin rightly says, its constant disturbance is infuriating and can hugely reduce quality of life.

I have had a number of patients suffer mental health problems as a result.

Sufferers are often told there is nothing that can be done. That is not accurate: there is no cure but there are treatment options.

Sound enrichment – creating background noise to take focus away from the ringing in the ears – can be particularly useful to help people sleep. This can be as simple as leaving a window open at night to allow nonstimulating background noise to drift in, or having a fan or the radio on quietly.

You can also download white noise generator apps which play constant soothing sounds, like the sea or forest at night.

Exercise, relaxation and mindfulness can be very useful to deal with the psychological burden of the condition.

It is worth persevering, because with effort you can find relief.