How to silence the torment of tinnitus: With sufferers often 'abandoned' by the NHS, read our expert tips on how to quieten that endless ringing in your ears By LUKE CHAFER Published: 20:51 EST, 1 February 2025 | Updated: 20:51 EST, 1 February 2025 e-mail 1 View comments Tinnitus sufferers have been 'abandoned' by the NHS , being left on endless waiting lists and dismissed by doctors, a charity has claimed. Patients with the distressing condition – often described as a ringing in the ears – are facing delays of up to three years for specialist appointments, according to Tinnitus UK. One of the millions of Britons affected, Kerry Pollit, 36, says the condition is destroying her life while she has been 'left in limbo' without any medical help.
The beauty stylist from Portsmouth first started hearing a vibrating and hissing sound in her ears six months ago. She saw her GP twice and was given a referral to an ear specialist, but received no further information. 'It has had a big impact on my work,' says Kerry.
'I can't concentrate and I often don't want to talk to clients. It has really affected me.' Frustrated, Kerry saw a private audiologist but they said that it would likely go away on its own and offered no treatment.
The report by Tinnitus UK – which surveyed nearly 200 clinicians specialising in the condition – revealed even when patients finally get treatment, 60 per cent of doctors are not able to offer standard levels of care because of staffing shortages. Sonja .
