Four out of ten don't know what tinnitus is, claims new study

Action on Hearing Loss trying to raise awareness with hearing problem

Virtual Festivals - 02 November 2011

39% of the 1,000 people quizzed said that they didn’t know, a further 22% thought it was an allergy to metal and 11 people thought it was a repetitive strain injury.
 
Tinnitus is a ringing in the ears, which can be brought on from listening to loud music at festivals and gigs or through MP3 players.

Action on Hearing Loss, formerly RNID, conducted the survey as part of its campaign to raise awareness among music lovers to look after their ears by wearing hearing protection such as earplugs when listening to loud music at gigs and festivals.

56% of respondents had hurt their ears at a live concert because the music was so loud, but only 33% said they had ever worn earplugs or tried other forms of hearing protection.

Emma Harrison, Action on Hearing Loss Director of Public Engagement, said: “Nearly a quarter of a million people in the UK suffer from tinnitus, which can destroy a person’s quality of life. Tinnitus is common amongst young people who go out clubbing regularly or listen to music a lot.

“Many don’t realise that ringing in your ears after a night out is a warning sign that you could be permanently damaging your ears. There’s currently no cure for hearing loss or tinnitus. We want to make more people aware of what tinnitus is and that there is hearing protection available, such as wearing earplugs, when going to concerts or festivals.”

The Action on Hearing Loss shop sells earplugs to help protect people’s ears.

Click to visit the shop.

If anyone has been affected by hearing loss or tinnitus from listening to loud music, Action on Hearing Loss wants to hear from you.

They’re always looking for people to tell their stories, please email chris.white@hearingloss.org.uk to tell yours.

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