One in seven people in the EU suffers from tinnitus. Specifically, 65 million adults in the EU suffer from tinnitus, and this number will increase significantly over the next decade , according to new research led by researchers at the University of Nottingham.
Tinnitus is when you experience ringing or other noises in one or both ears that other people generally cannot hear. The condition can be moderate or severe and, in its most debilitating form, can affect people’s emotional health and social well-being.
First study of its kind
The research, published in T he Lancet Regional Health – Europe , is the first study to rigorously analyze the prevalence of tinnitus in the populations of 12 EU member states.
About 11,500 people were recruited between 2017 and 2018 to participate in a cross-sectional European survey on tinnitus in 12 EU countries (Bulgaria, England, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Spain) , using a set of questions and answer options related to tinnitus . The team found that:
- The prevalence of any type of tinnitus was 14% (1.2% more in women than in men);
- Severe tinnitus was found in 1.2% of the participants;
- The prevalence of tinnitus increased significantly with age and with worsening hearing;
- The use of healthcare resources for tinnitus increased with increasing severity of tinnitus symptoms.