BBC Report Indicates Hope for Sufferers of Tinnitus
A report from the BBC has revealed that there have been advances in the way that tinnitus is to be treated.
Tinnitus is sound in the ears that are said to have no exterior source, known as the sound of silence it can be defined as a buzzing or ringing sound.
The report highlights how more than a third of people will be affected by tinnitus at some point in their lives, and the effects of this condition can be quite severe, ranging from depression and anxiety to insomnia and social disorders, with extreme cases leading individuals to suicide.
Because the condition is silent, and only heard by the individual suffering from the condition, tinnitus can leave people feeling isolated and lonely and many have been led to believe that there is no cure, however, a neurologist in Germany believes hearing cells (overactive in those suffering with tinnitus) can be normalised by using an electric current.
By using this technique, Berthold Langguth has cured one person completely of their condition, and many patients have experienced a reduction in volume.
Other methods are being pioneered by doctors worldwide, and Dirk De Ridder, a neurosurgeon from Belgium has implanted electrodes into the brain, and has also had great results from the 30 patients he has treated.
Researchers in Cambridge found that lidocaine, a common form of anaesthetic can mute the sound for minutes at a time, the report suggests, indicating that there is in fact ways in which tinnitus can be treated.
The Consultant Audiologist at the Cambridge hospital – David Baguley said: “My hope, which is cautiously optimistic, is that we will see a drug available to sufferers within a 20 year period”.
Sussex Patients Waiting 6 Months for Hearing Tests
The waiting list for hearing aids has been the subject of quite a lot of talk recently, and patients in Sussex are no stranger to long waiting lists, having to wait 6 months to be seen for a hearing test, on the NHS after figures were revealed by the Government last week.
West Sussex residents are experiencing the longest waiting times, on average 27 weeks, with East Sussex having to wait over 24 weeks – a far cry from the national average of 11 weeks, a West Sussex PCT spokeswoman blamed the waiting times on a national shortage of audiologists.
With hearing problems having such a negative effect on way of life, these waiting times are worrying, however these are in contrast with the waiting time of a year ago which were as long as 3 years.
The Sussex Audiology Centre offer independent hearing aid services throughout Sussex and offer the care and service that is required for such an important issue. Sussex Audiology Centre’s audiology team is made up of experts with years of experience who are well placed to offer you a fantastic level of service, without the extensive wait experienced with Sussex PCT’s.
Hearing Aids, Choose the Right Product & the Right Company
When purchasing a hearing aid, there many things that should be considered. Digital hearing aids are incredibly advanced pieces of kit, which vary widely from manufacturer to manufacturer, between different models and ranges and of course price – which can also vary greatly. All of these issues are very important ones to consider, but the hearing aid provider should not be ignored. What kind of service does the company offer you, is there a free consultation involved, a free hearing aid trial? What kind of aftercare will you receive, and what is the warranty offered on the hearing aid?
Hearing aids are such important purchases in that they can dramatically improve the quality of life of the wearer, and so care should be taken to ensure that not only is the hearing aid itself the right one for you, but that the company you are purchasing from is also going to provide you with the adequate service and aftercare that is essential when purchasing a hearing aid.
Companies such as the Sussex Audiology Centre offer a free 30 day trial period. This trial period offering is a fantastic way to ensure the hearing aid you choose is the right one for you, and takes a lot of the pressure off of the purchase. Should the hearing aid not be the right one, you can easily return it with no questions asked, and trial a different aid.
The company also offers follow up appointments to further fine tune the hearing aid - another very important feature that you should look for when choosing which company to approach.
Hearing aids are expensive pieces of equipment, but this cost is small when you consider the effect on lifestyle the product has. That said, a product that is not right for you will not be beneficial, and a company which offers bad customer service and aftercare can adversely affect the experience you gain from the hearing aid. This is where the company really does become as important as the product itself.