Case Study - Lynne Edmondson

PENISTONE WOMAN IS KEEN TO RAISE TINNITUS AWARENESS

Lynne Edmondson of Penistone, South Yorkshire, had perfect hearing until she developed glue ear in 2004 and started to hear very low noises which she suspected to be tinnitus. The diagnosis was eventually confirmed and the sounds grew gradually louder to the point of impinging on her everyday life.

Unfortunately some health professionals have not been entirely helpful and Lynne, 55, has been disappointed by the lack of support and treatments available. "I did attend a tinnitus clinic but it wasn't much help and some devices I've heard about haven't been offered to me," she explained. "I've also tried a few alternative remedies but they haven't been effective either.

"I do get quite depressed sometimes and living with it every day is dreadful but you just have to put up with it. I still have glue ear and only manage by telling myself it will go away. I don't think anyone can possibly imagine what it's like if they haven't experienced it. I hear a constant, very loud hissing noise and I can honestly say that I've never really been able to take my mind off it completely since it started."

In common with many sufferers, Lynne has disturbed sleep and finds the noise particularly intrusive in quiet environments. She has also had to take a break from her job as a note taker for deaf and disabled students at Sheffield Hallam University but hopes to return next term.

The symptom has also affected simple pleasures such as being able to fully enjoy television programmes or music. "I love music and still go to concerts and festivals but the tinnitus is always there as a contrast and it does spoil the pure pleasure of it. It would also be so nice just to sit and not hear anything at all," she added. Lynne developed arthritis last year but actually finds it easier to deal with the pain and frustration of that condition than she does with the effects of tinnitus. "The arthritis can be awful but I honestly think I would rather have that," she said. "It's not an easy thing for people to understand because there's nothing to see.

If someone organised a tinnitus day where the noise of it was recorded and people had to listen to it all day long they might realise what it's really like," she added.

The UK-based charity Action for Tinnitus Research focuses on funding medical and scientific research in pursuit of a cure and raising awareness is a key part of its work. Operations director Nick Doughty said: "It is estimated that over five million people in the UK are affected by tinnitus and it can have a devastating effect on their quality of life. Not enough information is available about the very complex symptom and we are one of the few organisations determined to do something about it.� We are committed to funding leading edge research and providing practical information to health professionals for the benefit of sufferers," he added.

For more information on Action for Tinnitus Research, logon to the website at
www.tinnitus-research.org, e-mail [email protected] or telephone 0115 925 4065

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