Case Study - Dr Jeff Waldock

BARNSLEY MAN BACKS BID TO STEP UP TINNITUS RESEARCH

Dr Jeff Waldock of Barnsley, South Yorkshire, developed tinnitus after a viral infection in 1993 and, like most sufferers, found it extremely difficult to cope with the constant whistle he could hear 24 hours a day. He struggled to ignore the noise, had trouble sleeping and soon came to realise that medical science could not provide a cure.

He was initially told that the problem was likely to disappear within three years but, 13 years on, it remains with him and he has learned to deal with the situation by accepting tinnitus as part of his life. "I have heard of cases where people have miraculously recovered but generally you just have to find a way to cope," he explained.

For Dr Waldock that means refusing to let tinnitus govern his everyday life and even though the noise never abates, he does find it possible to ignore it. "I suppose it's a bit like people who live near busy roads who say they don't notice the traffic noise. It's very much a case of having a positive mental attitude which is obviously easier said than done but it's the only thing that has worked for me."

During initial medical assessments, Dr Waldock, now 51, got the impression that doctors were to some extent� 'searching around in the dark.' Specialists pursued an approach that focused on the brain's interpretation of false information. It involved wearing a device that transmitted a sound close to that of tinnitus into the ear to teach the brain to ignore that particular frequency. The device, however, simply served to accentuate the problem by reminding him about even more.

"Everyone is obviously different but that approach wasn't right for me so I learned to manage in other ways. It would be nice to think that there could be much more research into this condition and more support for people who have it, especially in the first few months which is an extremely difficult time," he added.

The UK-based charity Action for Tinnitus Research focuses on funding medical and scientific research into the condition. Its operations director Nick Doughty said that raising awareness was an important part of its work in the pursuit of a cure. "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," he explained. "Not enough information is available about this complex condition 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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