Tinnitus: a common manageable complaint

Tinnitus is a common symptom with 7% of the UK adult population attending their GP specifically about tinnitus. The prevalence increases with age and hearing loss although it can also be present at any age and with normal hearing. Tinnitus is a symptom of many disorders and, in terms of treatment, what works for one may not necessarily work for another. Therefore, effort should be made to understand the mechanism of each individual’s tinnitus to enable us to prescribe the most effective treatment plan Whilst it can be annoying for some, and there is usually no definitive cure, the symptom can usually be managed effectively with modern treatments.