Difficulties experienced by tinnitus sufferers

Ninety-seven members of a tinnitus self-help group were asked to list the difficulties that they had as a result of their tinnitus. Seventy-two replies were returned from 22 men and 48 women (sex not reported in two cases) whose average age was 61 years. Tinnitus was associated with hearing difficulties in 53%, effects on lifestyle in 93%, effects on general health in 56%, and emotional difficulties in 70% of the sample. Getting to sleep was the most frequently mentioned difficulty, and many respondents indicated that they experienced depression, annoyance, and insecurity. The clinical application of this open-ended questionnaire are discussed.